A global analysis published Wednesday highlights that Lifestyle Factors For Breast Cancer — particularly high red meat intake and tobacco use — play a significant role in increasing risk. The study further projects that breast cancer cases will surge worldwide by 2050.
Researchers from the Global Burden of Disease Study Breast Cancer Collaborators analyzed cancer trends from 1990 to 2023 in a study published in The Lancet Oncology. The team identified six lifestyle factors linked to breast cancer risk, accounting for more than a quarter of the global burden.
A diet high in red meat ranked as the largest contributor, associated with 11% of breast cancer cases. Tobacco use, including secondhand smoke exposure, accounted for 8% of cases. High blood sugar contributed 6%, obesity 4%, high alcohol use 2% and low physical activity 2%.
“Breast cancer continues to take a profound toll on women’s lives and communities,” said lead author Kayleigh Bhangdia of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.
Red Meat And Tobacco Rank Among Top Contributors
The study highlights how lifestyle factors for breast cancer, such as diet and tobacco exposure, act as preventable drivers of disease. Researchers noted that reducing red meat consumption and limiting tobacco exposure could significantly lower risk.
Bhangdia said that while high-income countries often benefit from screening programs and earlier diagnoses, the burden is shifting elsewhere. “The mounting burden of breast cancer is shifting to low- and lower middle-income countries,” she said, citing later-stage diagnoses and limited access to care.
Cases Expected To Climb Sharply By 2050
Researchers project global breast cancer cases will rise from 2.3 million in 2023 to more than 3.5 million by 2050. Annual deaths are expected to increase 44%, from an estimated 764,000 to 1.4 million.
Dr. Marie Ng, affiliate associate professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and associate professor at the National University of Singapore, said the findings point to opportunities for prevention.
Ng explained that with more than a quarter of the global breast cancer burden linked to lifestyle factors for breast cancer, there are tremendous opportunities to change the trajectory of risk for the next generation.
She added that public health policies should focus on reducing obesity and high blood sugar while making healthier choices more accessible.
Experts Urge Screening And Policy Action
Health officials emphasize early detection alongside prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operates the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides screenings for eligible women.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women at average risk begin mammograms at age 40 and repeat screening every two years.
Researchers said that combining screening access with targeted lifestyle factors for breast cancer could help slow the projected rise in cases, particularly in countries with limited health care infrastructure.
The authors called for coordinated global action to address preventable risks and expand early detection efforts to reduce mortality.
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