2005 Georgia Data Summary: 
BREAST CANCER 
 
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Georgia females. 
 
BREAST CANCER 
 Breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed cancer among Georgia females. 
 Breast cancer accounts for 32% of all new cancer cases among females. 
 Over 5,600 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Georgia in 2005. 
 One in eight American females will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. 
 White women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than black women, but black women are more likely to die from the disease. 
Breast Cancer Incidence Rates, Females, by Health District, Georgia, 1999-2002 
 
Age-adjusted Breast Cancer Incidence Rates, Georgia (1999-2002) and the United States (1998-2002) 
 
160 
 
140 
 
120 
 
108 
 
112 
 
100 
 
80 
 
60 
 
40 
 
20 
 
0 
 
Black Females 
 
130 
 
134 
 
Georgia United States 
 
White Females 
 
Breast Cancer Incidence by Stage, Georgia (1999-2002) 
 
Rate significantly higher than the state 
No significant difference from the state 
Rate significantly lower than the state 
 The Northwest (1-1), South Central (5-1), North Central (5-2), South (8-1), and Southeast (9-2) Health Districts have significantly lower breast cancer rates than the state average. 
 The North Georgia (1-2), Cobb/Douglas (3-1), Fulton (3-2), East Metro (3-4) and DeKalb (3-5) Health Districts have significantly higher breast cancer rates than the state average. 
 
RISK FACTORS 
 Increasing age  Personal or family history  White race  A long menstrual history  Never having children or having first child after age 30  Recent use of oral contraceptives or 
postmenopausal estrogens  Previous breast radiation  Consuming two or more drinks of alcohol daily  Obesity  Physical inactivity 
PREVENTION 
The best strategy is to avoid the modifiable risk factors: alcohol, obesity, and physical inactivity. 
Data source: Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry (1999-2002) Date updated: December 2005 Publication number: DPH05.115H Visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/programs/gccr/index.asp for more information about cancer in Georgia. 
 
Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health  2 Peachtree Street, NW  Atlanta, GA 30303  (404) 657-3103  gdphinfo@dhr.state.ga.us  http://health.state.ga.us