More Than a Quarter of Healthy Years Lost to Breast Cancer Tied to Lifestyle, Study Finds

A comprehensive new study published in The Lancet Oncology reveals that lifestyle factors contribute to more than a quarter of healthy years lost to breast cancer globally. The research, utilizing data from over 200 countries spanning 1990 to 2023, highlights the significant impact of diet, smoking and other modifiable risk factors on the incidence and burden of the disease.

Global Rise in Breast Cancer Cases

New breast cancer cases in women are projected to increase by a third worldwide, rising from 2.3 million in 2023 to over 3.5 million in 2050, according to the analysis by the Global Burden of Disease Study Breast Cancer Collaborators. In the UK, approximately one in seven women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

Key Lifestyle Risk Factors

The study identified several key lifestyle factors contributing to healthy years lost due to breast cancer:

• High Red Meat Consumption: Linked to nearly 11% of all healthy life lost.
• Tobacco Apply: Including secondhand smoke, accounted for 8% of healthy life lost.
• High Blood Sugar: Contributed to 6% of healthy life lost.
• High Body Mass Index (BMI): Accounted for 4% of healthy life lost.
• High Alcohol Use & Low Physical Activity: Each contributed to 2% of healthy life lost.

Shifting Burden of Disease

Although women in high-income countries often benefit from earlier diagnosis and more comprehensive treatment, the increasing burden of breast cancer is shifting towards low- and lower-middle-income countries. These regions often face challenges such as later-stage diagnoses and limited access to quality care, leading to higher death rates.

Age and Incidence

In 2023, three times as many new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in women aged 55 or older compared to those aged 20-54 (161 cases per 100,000 women versus 50). However, the rate of new cases in younger women (20-54) has risen by nearly a third (29%) since 1990, while rates in older women have remained relatively stable.

Preventative Measures

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle – including avoiding smoking, engaging in sufficient physical activity, reducing red meat consumption, and maintaining a healthy BMI – may prevent more than a quarter of healthy years lost to breast cancer worldwide. Cancer Research UK has previously found that more than four in ten UK cancer cases are preventable through lifestyle changes.

Expert Perspectives

Kayleigh Bhangdia, lead author of the study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, emphasized the profound impact of breast cancer on women’s lives and communities. Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, stated the study is a “stark reminder” of the disease’s devastating impact globally and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to improving outcomes by 2050 through global collaboration. Sophie Brooks, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, highlighted the importance of prevention, noting the link between breast cancer rates and preventable factors like smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption.

Looking Ahead

The findings underscore the critical require for continued research, global collaboration, and public health initiatives focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and ensuring equitable access to early diagnosis and effective treatment for all women.