One in eight women will get breast cancer, and toll is rising

Published on Thursday 3 February 2011 16:57

HEALTH charities have warned women about lifestyle dangers, after figures showed the rate of breast cancer among Scottish women rose by 4.4 per cent during the past decade, faster than the UK average.

A total of 4,200 women in Scotland were diagnosed with the cancer in 2008, compared with 3,700 in 1999 - increasing the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer from one in nine to one in eight.

The data, released by charity Cancer Research UK to coincide with World Cancer Day, showed the UK as a whole experienced a 3.5 per cent rise.

Experts have blamed lifestyle factors, including obesity and alcohol, for fuelling the rise, saying Scotland's existing problems with drink and poor diet were probably to blame for its higher rate.

Women are now more likely to have children later in life - and fewer offspring - which could influence the risk.

Other factors, such a family history of the disease, also increase a woman's chance of developing breast cancer, which kills about 12,000 a year in the UK.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, said lifestyle changes could improve the odds against developing breast cancer.

She said: "Women cannot change their genes, but small changes in everyday habits can help to reduce cancer risk.

"Cutting back on alcohol by keeping within government recommended limits of no more than 14 units a week helps. Taking more exercise and eating a diet high in fibre but low in saturated fat can help maintain a healthy weight - which, in turn, reduces breast cancer risk.

"Women should also discuss hormone replacement therapy with their doctor as long-term use can raise breast cancer risk."

The charity is urging eligible women to go for screening as regularly as possible.

Audrey Birt, director for Scotland at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said the new figure was "a wake-up call" and should not be ignored. She went on: "More women are developing breast cancer and, although survival is improving thanks to breakthroughs in breast awareness, screening and treatment, we clearly have much further to go.

"A two-pronged attack is needed - commitment to research into the causes of breast cancer, supported by women arming themselves with knowledge of the risks that may contribute to the disease.

"Some risk factors, such as getting older, cannot be changed but the good news is others can. By drinking less, maintaining a healthy weight and getting physically active, women can reduce their risk."

The data reveals the biggest rise in breast cancer rates has been among Scottish women aged 50 to 69.Over the decade, cases rose by more than 6 per cent in this age group, while rates among women aged 25 to 49 dropped by 0.5 per cent.

In 2008, some 2,000 women aged 50 to 69 were diagnosed with breast cancer - 49 per cent of the total number of cases.

However, in the UK as a whole, more women are surviving the disease, with almost two-thirds living more than 20 years beyond diagnosis.