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Indicator Definition

 
Invasive cancer of the female breast, incidence
Category: Cancer
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Demographic Group:All female residents.
Numerator:Incident cases of cancer with an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-O-2 or ICD-O-3 (for cases diagnosed after January 1, 2001) code C50 and behavior >= 3 (malignant, primary site, excluding histologic types M9590–M9989) among female residents during a calendar year.
Denominator:Midyear resident female population for the same calendar year.
Measures of Frequency:Annual number of incident cases. Annual incidence — crude and age-adjusted (standardized by the direct method to the year 2000 standard U.S. population based on single years of age from the Census P25-1130 series estimates*) — with 95% confidence interval.
Time Period of Case Definition:Calendar year.
Background:During 2001, cancer of the female breast caused approximately 40,200 deaths. Approximately 211,000 new cases are diagnosed annually; breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. One in every eight women will have breast cancer during her lifetime.
Significance:Comparison of rates by stage at diagnosis can be used to measure the effectiveness and coverage of screening programs. Physical activity, healthy diet, and avoidance of overweight might reduce risk.
Limitations of Indicator:Because breast cancer has a long latency period, years might pass before changes in behavior or clinical practice patterns affect the incidence of breast cancer. If certain interventions (e.g., screening) are effective and widespread, a transient increase in incidence might be observed.
Data Resources:Cancer incidence data from statewide central cancer registries (numerator) and population estimates from the U.S. Bureau of the Census or suitable alternative (denominator).
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/uscs/Table.aspx?Group=TableGeo&Year=2001&Display=n
Limitations of Data Resources:Data from certain existing statewide central cancer registries do not yet meet standards for data completeness and quality. Certain newly established state registries have not yet begun to produce surveillance data. Therefore, nationwide estimates calculated from aggregated state data might not include data from each state. However, state registry data should accurately represent state cancer incidence in the majority of states, particularly where completeness and quality of registry data are high.
Healthy People 2010 Objectives:No objective.

SEER - Standard Populations (Millions) for Age-Adjustment http://seer.cancer.gov/stdpopulations/







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This page was last reviewed November, 2008

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion