Basic Facts of Breast Cancer in Korea in 2014: The 10-Year Overall Survival Progress

Abstract

We, the Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS), present the facts and the trends of breast cancer in Korea in 2014. Data on the total number of newly diagnosed patients was obtained from the Korea Central Cancer Registry database, other data were collected from the KBCS online registry database, and the overall survival data of patients were updated from Statistics Korea. A total of 21,484 female patients were newly diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. The crude incidence rate and the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of breast cancer in female patients, including carcinoma in situ, were 83.4 cases and 63.9 cases per 100,000 women, respectively. The ASR showed an annual increase of 6.1% from 1999 to 2014; however, although the increase of the ASR had slowed since 2008, the incidence rate itself continuously increased. The proportion of early breast cancer increased consistently, and the pathological features changed accordingly. While breast-conserving surgery was mainly performed, the proportion of total mastectomy was slightly increased. The total number of breast reconstruction surgeries increased rapidly. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates for all stages of breast cancer patients were 91.2% and 84.8%, respectively. The overall survival rate of Korean patients with breast cancer was extremely high, compared with other developed countries. Thus, we consider that the clinical characteristics of breast cancer have changed over the past decade. A nationwide registry data will contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of breast cancer in Korea.

Factors predictive of occult nipple‐areolar complex involvement in patients with carcinoma in situ of the breast

“…Similarly, Bae et al showed 15.8% of their cohort presented palpable symptom or nipple discharge which could be detected as a mass. In the present study, however, ultrasound findings were not significant predictors of NAC involvement in comparison with other imaging modalities, probably due to the greater number of sonographically undetected lesions (14 for ultrasound vs 6‐7 for mammograms or MRI) and the large proportion of asymptomatic patients (75.0%) in our study population or relatively younger age at diagnosis in Korean patients than in the Western …”

“…The number of NSM being performed in the United States has increased in recent years . The Korean Breast Cancer Society reported a change from a decrease in the number of mastectomies to a recent steady‐state of mastectomies, and a large increase in the number of breast reconstructions . Although future observations are necessary to confirm whether this trend will continue in Korea, the number of NSM with immediate reconstruction is likely to increase, because the Korean National Health Insurance started covering some of the costs for breast reconstruction since April 2015.…”

“…The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing in both Korea as well as in the United States and the survival rate of breast cancer patients has also been improving . Mammography screening programs have resulted in a steady increase in the number of patients diagnosed with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the breast, but there has been a decrease in the number of mastectomies in Korean breast cancer patients . Because quality of life and cancer prevention are important issues, the number of nipple‐sparing mastectomies (NSM) performed in Korea is likely to increase, similar to the trend seen in the United States …”

“…The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing in both Korea as well as in the United States and the survival rate of breast cancer patients has also been improving . Mammography screening programs have resulted in a steady increase in the number of patients diagnosed with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the breast, but there has been a decrease in the number of mastectomies in Korean breast cancer patients .…”

The experience of cancer‐related fatigue, exercise and exercise adherence among women breast cancer survivors: Insights from focus group interviews

“…Likewise, according to 2014 national cancer statistics for Korea, in a span of 16 years, the incidence of breast cancer steadily increased: 21,402 new cases of breast cancer in women were reported, which was roughly 3.6 times more than the 6,025 cases reported in 1999 (Jung et al, ; Park et al, ). Furthermore, for all stages, the 5‐year and 10‐year overall survival rates for breast cancer were 91.2% and 84.9%, respectively (Park et al, ). Considering the increasing trend of breast cancer incidence and survival rate, it is essential to pay attention to the cancer‐related symptoms commonly experienced by BCS such as CRF, pain, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment and physical limitations (Harrington, Hansen, Moskowitz, Todd, & Feuerstein, ).…”