According to a recent report from the American Cancer Society, these rates have increased by 1.4% annually from 2012 to 2021. Particularly notable is the increase among Asian American and Pacific Islander women, who have experienced an annual uptick of 2.5% to 2.7% since 2000.

CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook highlights that much of this rise is in breast cancers fueled by estrogen. He explains that girls are starting their periods at an earlier age and women are delaying childbirth, resulting in more menstrual cycles and therefore more surges of estrogen, which may be a contributing factor. Obesity also plays a role, as the enzyme aromatase found in fat converts testosterone into estrogen, further increasing estrogen levels.

Dr. LaPook also points to alcohol consumption as a significant risk factor. Rebecca Siegel, senior author of the American Cancer Society's report, notes that binge drinking in women in their 30s and 40s has risen, with alcohol accounting for about 16% of all breast cancer cases.

The reasons for the increased risk among Asian American and Pacific Islander women are not well understood, Dr. LaPook admits. "That group had a low risk and now, wham, they're right up to where White women are," he said, noting that a major study at UC San Francisco is investigating this trend. Moreover, there continue to be significant disparities in outcomes for Black women, an issue that has long been the focus of research.

To address these disparities, the American Cancer Society launched the VOICES of Black Women study earlier this year, aiming to enroll over 100,000 Black women in the United States.

There is some positive news in the latest report. Over the past 33 years, breast cancer mortality has decreased by 44%, potentially saving over 500,000 lives. Advances in early detection and treatment are credited with this success.

However, not all groups have benefitted equally. For Native American women, there has been no decrease in breast cancer mortality. Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, underscores the urgency of addressing these disparities. "Women today are a lot less likely to die from breast cancer, but alarming disparities still remain, especially for Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native American, and Black women," he said. "These gaps need to be rectified through systematic efforts to ensure access to high-quality screening and treatment for every woman."