From: oncologynurseadvisor.com
From 2001 to 2019, breast cancer incidence increased in women who were 65-74 years of age, remained stable in those who were 75-84 years of age, and decreased in those who were 85 years or older
New research has revealed age-specific trends in breast cancer incidence among women who are 65 years of age and older. The research was published in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers analyzed the US Cancer Statistics public use database to evaluate trends in breast cancer incidence from 2001 to 2019 among women aged 65 years and older, divided into 3 age groups — 65-74 years, 75-84 years, and 85 years and older.
A total of 2,278,611 women were diagnosed with invasive or in situ breast cancer during the study period. The age-adjusted breast cancer incidence was:
- 530.4 per 100,000 persons among women aged 65-74 years
- 515.3 per 100,000 among women aged 75-84 years
- 376.8 per 100,000 among women aged 85 years and older.
The researchers noted that the distribution of molecular subtypes was similar across age groups and remained “relatively consistent” within the age groups between 2011-2014 and 2015-2019. However, Black women had higher rates of triple-negative breast cancer across all age groups throughout the study period.
From 2001 to 2019, breast cancer incidence increased by 0.4% per year in women who were 65-74 years of age. The incidence remained stable in women who were 75-84 years of age and declined by 1.1% per year in women who were 85 years or older.
From 2001 to 2019, White women had the highest incidence of breast cancer overall and among patients aged 65-84 years. Among women aged 85 years and older, Black patients had the highest incidence of breast cancer.
Among women aged 65-74 years, breast cancer incidence increased over time across all racial and ethnic groups. Among women aged 75-84 years, the incidence increased in Black patients and Asian or Pacific Islander patients, but there were no significant changes in the other racial and ethnic groups. Among women aged 85 years and older, breast cancer incidence decreased in White patients and Hispanic patients but did not change significantly in the other racial and ethnic groups.
When patients were stratified by stage at diagnosis, the incidence of distant stage disease increased from 2001 to 2019 across all age groups. Regional disease and disease of unknown stage decreased across all age groups. The incidence of in situ breast cancer increased in women aged 65-74 years, did not change significantly in women aged 75-84 years, and decreased in women who were 85 years of age or older.
“These findings suggest a need to investigate whether age-specific trends are due to guidelines that suggest reduced screening for older age groups,” the researchers wrote. “Further research should also explore BC [breast cancer] mortality trends in the oldest age groups, considering stage and subtype specific findings.”
Disclosures: This research was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute. The study authors reported having no conflicts of interest. Please see the original references for complete disclosure information.
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