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Table of Contents

About Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Basics

Diagnosis & Staging

Risk Factors & Genetics

Benign Breast Conditions

Breast Cancer Statistics (Global & Japan)

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and while incidence rates were historically higher in Western nations, they are rising rapidly across Asia.

In Japan, the disease now accounts for over 20% of all female cancers, driven by an aging population and changing lifestyles. This growing prevalence underscores an urgent public health challenge that requires global attention and localized strategies.

2.3M

New cases worldwide (2022)

27% of female cancers

Breast cancer accounts for ~27% of all female cancers globally

91,916

New cases in Japan (2022)

~20-22% of all female cancers

Median diagnosis age

in Japan = 62 years

Incidence (new cases):

  • In 2022, Japan recorded about 91,916 new breast cancer cases in women, making it one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among Japanese women.
  • According to the Japanese Breast Cancer Society registry, over 102,000 breast cancer cases were reported from institutions in Japan in 2022, with a median age at diagnosis ~62 years.

Rank among cancers in women:

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Japanese women, accounting for roughly 20–22% of all female cancers.

Age pattern:

In Japan, breast cancer incidence tends to peak around ages 45–49 and again around ages 65–69, with risk rising steeply from the late 30s onward.

Trends over time:

Breast cancer rates in Japan have been rising over recent decades, likely due to population aging, lifestyle changes, and a wider adoption of Westernized diets.

Mortality:

Though incidence is high, breast cancer mortality in Japan is lower relative to Western countries but has been increasing and starting to approach similar levels.

Global Breast Cancer Facts​

Incidence & prevalence (worldwide):

  • Globally, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, responsible for ~27% of all female cancer cases.
  • In 2022, there were an estimated ~2.3 million new breast cancer cases worldwide.

Regional differences (worldwide):

  • Developed regions (e.g., Western Europe, North America) tend to report higher age-standardized incidence rates, partly due to widespread screening and increased prevalence of risk factors like obesity.
  • Asia traditionally shows lower breast cancer incidence rates compared to the rest of the world, but these are rising.
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