Cancer Health

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Female Breast Cancer
Age-adjusted rates for female breast Cancer mortality

Breast cancer is not included in the 10 leading causes of death in Texas. However, when calculated for the female population only, the Texas rate of 24 breast cancer deaths per 100,000 women would rank seventh among all causes. Breast cancer claimed the lives of 164 Bexar County women in 2004. This results in an age-adjusted mortality rate of 23 deaths per 100,000 women. The Bexar County rate is similar to the rates for both Texas (24/100,000) and Harris County (26/100,000). Rates over the past 12 years show that there has been a slow steady decline in Breast Cancer since 1992.

Age-adjusted rates for female malignant neoplasm of the breast are fairly consistent across the County except for in the West is 30 deaths per 100,000 population and the Northwest with 26 deaths 100,000. Rates range from 19 to 21 per 100,000 in the rest of the county.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the risk of breast cancer including genetic predisposition, use of oral contraceptives, and estrogen replacement therapy. Risks associated with behavior include obesity and alcohol consumption. Regular mammograms are recommended as secondary prevention for women over age 40.

Years of potential life lost (YPLL) due to female breast cancer

There were 83 residents of Bexar County who experienced premature death due to cancer in 2004. The consequence was the loss of 915 years of life or an average of 11 years for each person younger than 65 who died. This produces a rate of 135 years of potential life lost per 100,000 women living in Bexar County. This is down from 181 years of life lost since 1992. Although there was some variation in 1996 it appears that there has been a steady, gradual decline in the breast cancer YPLL rate in since 1992.

The number of years of life lost to breast cancer total 135 years per 100,000 women residing in Bexar County in 2004. This rate is similar to the statewide rate of 139 deaths per 100,000 people. Trend data reveals that premature death rates since 1992 have declined slightly in Bexar and Harris Counties as well as statewide.

Each of the sectors of Bexar County and the county as a whole has similar YPLL rates, with the exception of the South sector. The female breast cancer YPLL rate of 94 years per 100,000 is much lower than the other sectors of the county or the statewide YPLL rate of 139 years lost per 100,000 women. The East, Northeast, and the Northwest sectors have YPLL rates around 149 years of life lost per 100,000, the East and North Central have rates around 135 years of life lost per 100,000 women.