Breast cancer increases with age. African American women have lower 5-year breast cancer survival rates than Caucasian women. The Department of Health estimates that about 12,000 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year an average of 33 women a day. Six of these women likely will die. Some risk factors for breast cancer include never being pregnant, history of breast cancer in mother or sister, obesity, high-fat diet, late onset of menopause, and a personal history of fibrocystic disease.
Early detection improves survival rates.