Rising Breast Cancer Incidence and Poor Outcomes in Young Women: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Growing evidence suggests an increasing incidence of breast cancer (BC) among younger women.
• This demographic shift necessitates a closer examination of BC patterns in women aged 18-40.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze breast cancer incidence trends in women aged 18-40 from 2014 to 2023.
• To investigate disparities in incidence by race and ethnicity.
• To examine mortality and local recurrence (LR) rates in this age group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of the TriNetX network database.
• Inclusion of female patients aged 18-40.
• Stratified analysis of BC incidence by age, race, and ethnicity.
• Evaluation of mortality and LR in a cohort of women diagnosed with primary BC.

Main Results:

• Breast cancer incidence proportion among women aged 18-40 increased significantly from 2014 to 2023.
• Rising incidence was observed across multiple racial and ethnic groups, including American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN), Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI), and Hispanic women.
• Increased mortality and local recurrence (LR) rates were documented in young women with primary BC.

Conclusions:

• Breast cancer incidence is increasing in women aged 18-40, with notable uptrends in specific demographic groups.
• The observed rise in BC incidence, mortality, and LR among young women warrants further investigation.
• Development of tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for younger breast cancer patients is crucial.