Preface.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of mortality in young women worldwide.
• Developing countries face a growing BC burden, with a higher proportion of young patients compared to developed nations.
• In Latin America, BC in women under 40 constitutes up to 11% of cases and 7% of deaths.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the public health issue of early-onset breast cancer in young women.
• To underscore the increasing incidence and mortality rates of BC in developing countries.
• To emphasize the significant proportion of young BC patients in Latin America and Mexico.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of epidemiological data on breast cancer incidence and mortality.
• Analysis focuses on age-specific BC statistics, particularly in women aged 40 years or younger.
• Data is presented for global trends, developing countries, Latin America, and Mexico.

Main Results:

• Young women represent a substantial and increasing proportion of breast cancer diagnoses and deaths in developing countries.
• In Latin America, up to 11% of new BC cases and 7% of BC deaths occur in women aged 40 or younger.
• Mexican healthcare institutions report up to 15% of BC patients are diagnosed at a young age.

Conclusions:

• Early-onset breast cancer is a critical public health concern, especially in developing regions.
• The high incidence of BC in young women necessitates targeted screening and prevention programs.
• Further research is needed to understand and address the unique challenges of BC in younger populations.