FACTS & STATISTICS

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women living in Canada (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). It is the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer in women living in Canada. Breast cancer can also occur in men, but it is not common.

 

To provide the most current cancer statistics, statistical methods are used to estimate the number of new cancer cases and deaths until actual data become available. 

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It is estimated that in 2026:

• 32,400 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer. This represents 26% of all new cancer cases in women in 2026.

• 5,400 women in Canada will die from breast cancer. This represents 13% of all cancer deaths in women in 2026.

• On average, 89 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer every day.

• On average, 15 women in Canada will die from breast cancer every day.

• 300 men in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 60 will die from breast cancer.

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Net Survival 

Net survival represents the probability (chance) of surviving cancer in the absence of other causes of death. It is used to give an estimate of the percentage of people who will survive cancer.

 

In Canada, the 5-year net survival for breast cancer in women is 90%. This means that, on average, about 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will live for at least 5 years.

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Breast cancer disparities by race and ethnicity 

There are persistent disparities in breast cancer incidence and death rates: 

• Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic group. 

• Even as breast cancer death rates have declined in every racial and ethnic group since the 1990s, death rates in American Indian/Alaska Native women have remained constant.

• Black women have 5% lower breast cancer incidence than white women, but they have a 38% higher risk of dying from the disease.

• American Indian/Alaska Native women have 10% lower breast cancer incidence than white women, but 6% higher risk of dying from the disease.

• Ashkenazi Jewish women have a higher risk of breast cancer because of a higher rate of BRCA mutations.

• Black men have the highest incidence of male breast cancer and death.

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FACTS

Historical incidence rates

Between 1980 and 2000, breast cancer incidence rates in the U.S. climbed, before dropping in the early 2000s. But from 2012 to 2021, the rate increased by 1% overall, with the highest increases in women younger than 50 years old (1.4% per year) and Hispanic (1.6% per year) or Asian American and Pacific Islander (2.6% per year). 

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Researchers believe that some of the rising cases of breast cancer may be due to people getting less physical activity, drinking alcohol, and having fewer kids.

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Age at diagnosis

The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62 — meaning that half of women with breast cancer are diagnosed before age 62 and half are diagnosed afterward. While historically breast cancer diagnoses have been relatively rare in younger women, cases have been rising in recent years. In 2024, researchers estimated that 16% of women with breast cancer were younger than 50 years of age.

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Sex at birth and getting older

The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older. If you’re trans or non-binary, it’s essential that you speak with your doctor about your personal risk level so you can make sure to get screened as often as makes sense for you. 

 

Family history

A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative (for example, their mother, sister, or daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Approximately 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.

 

Genetics

About 5% to 10% of breast cancers can be linked to known gene mutations inherited from one’s mother or father. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common.

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On average, women with a BRCA1 mutation have up to a 72% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Women with a BRCA2 mutation have up to a 69% risk. Breast cancer that is positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations tends to develop more often in younger women. In men, BRCA2 mutations are associated with a lifetime breast cancer risk of about 6.8%; BRCA1 mutations are a less frequent cause.

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About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

 

Breast cancer in men

Though rare — the average lifetime risk of a man getting breast cancer is less than 1% — breast cancer can occur in men. In 2026, researchers estimate about 2,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men, and about 530 men will die from breast cancer.​​​​​​​​​​

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