Lifestyle Factors Linked to Over a Quarter of Breast Cancer's Global Burden
More than a quarter of healthy years lost to breast cancer worldwide are attributable to modifiable lifestyle factors, according to the largest study of its kind published in the Lancet Oncology. The comprehensive analysis, which utilised data from population-based cancer registries across more than 200 countries from 1990 to 2023, highlights the significant impact of behaviours such as high red meat intake and smoking on breast cancer outcomes.
Key Findings on Risk Factors and Global Trends
The study, conducted by the Global Burden of Disease Study Breast Cancer Collaborators, forecasts that new breast cancer cases in women are projected to rise by a third globally, increasing from 2.3 million in 2023 to over 3.5 million by 2050. In the United Kingdom, approximately one in seven women will develop the disease during their lifetime, underscoring the pervasive nature of this health challenge.
In 2023, the research identified that 28% of the global breast cancer burden, equating to 6.8 million years of healthy life lost to disability, illness, and premature death, was linked to six potentially modifiable risk factors. High red meat consumption had the most substantial impact, accounting for nearly 11% of all healthy life lost. This was closely followed by tobacco use, including exposure to secondhand smoke, which contributed to 8% of the burden. Other significant factors included high blood sugar at 6%, high body mass index at 4%, and both high alcohol use and low physical activity each at 2%.
Demographic Shifts and Health Disparities
The analysis revealed notable demographic trends, with three times as many new breast cancer cases diagnosed in women aged 55 or older compared to those aged 20-54 in 2023. However, rates of new cases in younger women, aged between 20 and 54, have surged by nearly 29% since 1990, while rates in older women have remained relatively stable.
Kayleigh Bhangdia, lead author from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, emphasised the growing burden in low- and lower-middle-income countries. She noted that while high-income nations often benefit from advanced screening and treatment, many regions face later-stage diagnoses, limited access to quality care, and higher mortality rates, threatening progress in women's health globally.
Expert Insights and Calls for Action
Claire Rowney, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Now, described the findings as a stark reminder of breast cancer's devastating impact worldwide. She reiterated the organisation's ambition to ensure that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer can live well, advocating for enhanced global collaborations to improve early diagnosis and treatment access.
Sophie Brooks, Health Information Manager at Cancer Research UK, highlighted the preventable nature of many cases, pointing to factors like smoking, overweight, obesity, and alcohol consumption. These insights align with previous research from Cancer Research UK, which found that over 40% of cancer cases in the UK could be prevented through lifestyle modifications.
The study underscores the critical importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including abstaining from smoking, engaging in regular physical activity, reducing red meat consumption, and managing body weight, to mitigate breast cancer risks and improve global health outcomes.
