Variations in Breast Cancer Incidence Among Older Women by Age and Race

Recent research highlights that trends in breast cancer incidence among older women are not uniform but vary according to age, race, ethnicity, and cancer stage at diagnosis. A comprehensive study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed data from approximately 2.3 million women diagnosed between 2001 and 2019. Findings reveal that women aged 65 to 74 experience a gradual increase in breast cancer rates, with an average annual percent change of 0.4%. In contrast, incidence rates have remained stable among women aged 75 to 84, while declining in those aged 85 and older by about 1.1% annually.

Significantly, incidence rates are markedly higher in Hispanic, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, and non-Hispanic Black women aged 65 to 74 when compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts, with rates being seven to eleven times higher. The study also noted regional differences in stage at diagnosis, with diagnoses at earlier stages decreasing across all age groups, whereas distant-stage cases increased. Variations in in situ and localized diagnoses were also observed based on age, highlighting complex epidemiological patterns.

Additionally, non-Hispanic Black women had the highest proportion of hormone receptor-negative and ERBB2-negative cancers across all age groups, emphasizing disparities in tumor biology. The research underscores the importance of dissecting breast cancer trends by specific age groups to better understand screening practices, risk factor profiles, and targeted prevention strategies for older women. The authors suggest that age-disaggregated data can lead to more personalized approaches in managing and preventing breast cancer in aging populations.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-breast-cancer-incidence-trends-vary.html