In the UK - Breast cancer is the most common cancer and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women - One woman in nine will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime - Breast cancer is the second biggest cause of death from cancer in women Every year - Over 41,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer - Around 13,000 women will die from breast cancer Every month - Nearly 3,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer - Over 1000 women will die from breast cancer Survival rates - Are improving, of women diagnosed with breast cancer in England and Wales between 1996- 1999, 77 per cent were alive five years later, compared with 68 per cent of women diagnosed between 1986-1990 - For women diagnosed in Scotland and Northern Ireland between 1996-1999 the five year survival rates are 80 and 82 per cent respectively Age - Is the biggest risk factor - Approximately 80 per cent of all breast cancers occur in post-menopausal women - Around 8,200 pre-menopausal women are diagnosed with the disease each year Men (in the UK) - Can also suffer from breast cancer, although it is rare, roughly 300 men are diagnosed each year - Approximately 90 men a year die from breast cancer - All the risk factors talked about on this web page refer to women, for more specific information on men with breast cancer contact Breast Cancer Care