Rising Late-Stage Breast Cancer Rates Among Young and Black Women

Breast cancer rates are rising alarmingly among American women in their 20s and 30s, with metastatic cases increasing by nearly 3% from 2004 to 2021. This trend is partly attributed to current screening guidelines that recommend mammograms starting at age 40, potentially delaying early detection in younger women. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this issue by limiting access to regular checkups. Experts emphasize the need for earlier screening and awareness to improve survival rates, as younger women often face more aggressive cancer types and lower survival odds.