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Epidemiological Analysis: Breast Cancer

College of Nursing, Chamberlain University

NR 503: Population Health Epidemiology and Statistical Principles

Epidemiological Analysis: Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women. With more than 1.3

million new cases worldwide and nearly 460,000 deaths each year, studies have shown that the

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global rates of breast cancer are on the rise (Tao, 2015). In the United States, the rate of cancer

among women rose slightly within the last five years; however, the mortality rate due to cancer

declined (DeSantis et al., 2019). While this is encouraging, increased disparities between

Caucasian and African American women mortality due to breast cancer has become evident

(DeSantis et al., 2019). To fully understand the epidemiology of breast cancer, it is crucial to

look at the risk factors, trends in screening, reporting, and practice implementation. Once these

utilities are understood, an actual change in practice is possible.

Background and Significance

Breast cancer occurs due to a malignant neoplasm of the breast (Venes & Taber, 2017).

Women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than any other form of malignancy

(Zavala et al., 2019; Tao et al., 2015). There are annually more than 230,000 cases of breast

cancer in the United States and nearly 40,000 deaths per year due do the disease (DeSantis et al.,

2019; Pandey & Nguyen, 2016). A woman has a one in eight probability of being diagnosed

with breast cancer, otherwise reported as a 12% likelihood of the diagnosis (Scott et al., 2020;

DeSantis et al., 2019; Pandey & Nguyen, 2016; Tao et al., 2015). Breast cancer typically

presents as a mass in one breast, although other symptoms may include nipple discharge, nipple

retraction, skin dimpling, or abnormal asymmetry of the breasts (Venes & Taber, 2017).

However, advancing screening techniques such as risk assessment models, familial screening for

genetic predisposition to cancer or BRCA gene testing, mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic

resonance imaging (MRI), can increase risk detection before a mass is palpable (Himes et al.,

2019).

The state of Wyoming currently reports an annual incidence of breast cancer in women

occurring at 112.5 cases per 100,000 citizens, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) (Center for

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