Female breast cancer incidence and mortality in China, 2013

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Population-based cancer registration data from the National Central Cancer Registry were used to analyze and evaluate the incidence and mortality rates in China in 2013, providing scientific information for cancer prevention and control.

Pooled data were stratified by area (urban/rural), gender, and age group. National new cases and deaths were estimated using age-specific rates and the corresponding population in 2013. The Chinese population in 2000 and Segi's world population were used to calculate age-standardized rates.

The estimated number of new breast cancer cases was about 278 800 in China in 2013. The crude incidence, age-standardized rate of incidence by Chinese standard population, and age-standardized rate of incidence by world standard population were 42.02/100 000, 30.41/100 000, and 28.42/100 000, respectively. The estimated number of breast cancer deaths was about 64 600 in China in 2013. The crude mortality, age-standardized rate of mortality by Chinese standard population, and age-standardized rate of mortality by world standard population were 9.74/100 000, 6.54/100 000, and 6.34/100 000, respectively. Both incidence and mortality were higher in urban than in rural areas. Age-specific breast cancer incidence significantly increased with age, particularly after age 20, and peaked at 50-55 years, while age-specific mortality increased rapidly after 25 years, peaking at 85+ years.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Chinese women, especially women in urban areas. Comprehensive measures are needed to reduce the heavy burden of breast cancer.