More than a quarter of healthy years lost to breast cancer are due to modifiable lifestyle factors, with high red meat consumption having the biggest impact, followed by smoking, according to the largest study of its kind.
The research, published in The Lancet Oncology, analysed data from over 200 countries between 1990 and 2023. It found that 28% of the global breast cancer burden—measured in years of healthy life lost to disability, illness and early death—was attributable to six potentially modifiable risk factors: high red meat consumption (nearly 11%), tobacco use including secondhand smoke (8%), high blood sugar (6%), high body mass index (4%), high alcohol use (2%) and low physical activity (2%).
New breast cancer cases in women are predicted to rise by a third globally, from 2.3 million in 2023 to more than 3.5 million in 2050. In the UK, about one in seven women will develop the disease in their lifetime. The study also found that rates of new cases in women aged 20-54 have risen by nearly a third since 1990, while rates in older women have not changed substantially.
Kayleigh Bhangdia, lead author from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, said: “Breast cancer continues to take a profound toll on women’s lives and communities. While those in high-income countries typically benefit from screening and timely diagnosis, the mounting burden is shifting to low- and lower-middle-income countries where individuals often face later-stage diagnosis and higher death rates.”
Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: “This new global study is a stark reminder that breast cancer continues to take and rip apart far too many lives. We’re determined that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live and live well.” Sophie Brooks, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, added: “Prevention remains a key way to reduce rates, with a significant number of cases globally linked to preventable factors like smoking, overweight and obesity, and alcohol.”
