Although breast cancer incidences among women ages 20 to 49 have continually increased over the past two decades, breast cancer deaths among women in this age group have dropped significantly since 2010, according to new research recently presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s 2025 Annual Meeting. However, despite these improvements, Black women continue to be more likely to die from breast cancer compared to women from other backgrounds.
Led by Adetunji Toriola, professor of surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, the research team examined data regarding 11,661 breast cancer deaths among women aged 20 to 49 between 2010 and 2020. Overall, incidence-based breast cancer mortality declined from 9.7 deaths per 100,000 women in 2010 to just 1.47 deaths per 100,000 women in 2020.
While breast cancer deaths have declined among women of all racial backgrounds, the study found notable racial disparities in incidence-based breast cancer mortality. Black women had the highest mortality rates of all racial groups in both 2010 and 2020, at 16.56 and 3.41 deaths per 100,000 women, respectively. In comparison, the mortality rates for White women in 2010 and 2020 were 9.18 and 1.16 deaths per 100,000 women, respectively.
Furthermore, the research revealed racial disparities in the 10-year survival rate of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Black women had the worst survival outcomes, while White women and Asian and Pacific Islander women had the best.
Declines in breast cancer deaths became most pronounced for Black women in 2016. According to Dr. Toriola and his colleagues, the drastic declines in breast cancer mortality seen in the mid 2010s are likely due to advancements in treatment options, greater uptake of precision medicine, and expanded access to care and screening for middle-aged women.
“We must continue to perform impactful research to ensure further reduction in breast cancer mortality, including research into understanding the tumor biology and molecular mechanisms driving carcinogenesis and treatment response in younger women,” said Dr. Toriola. “Additionally, we must encourage and provide access to population-based screening in women ages 40-49 and targeted screening in younger high-risk women, and advocate for access to high-quality treatment and care for all women.”
