Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the breast. All women and those assigned female at birth can get breast cancer. Breast cancer can also occur in men and those assigned male at birth, but it is rare. For more information about breast cancer in men, visit the National Cancer Institute – General Information about Male Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among females* in New York State. Each year in New York, about 16,700 females are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 2,500 die from the disease. It is estimated that one in eight females will develop breast cancer during their life.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females in New York State. It is most often found in females ages 50 and older.

Current guidelines recommend that most people get a screening mammogram every other year beginning at age 40 and continue through age 74. This includes people with a family history of breast cancer, those with dense breasts, and transgender men and non-binary people assigned female at birth.

Regular check-ups and screening tests can find breast cancer early when treatment may work best. The most important action you can take is to have regular breast cancer screenings, such as mammograms.

Finding cancer early is the key to survival.

Health Equity

Risk of breast cancer increases with age and varies across racial groups. Black females are more likely to have breast cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage and die from the disease. Reducing such disparities starts with making sure all New Yorkers are able to get breast cancer screening and any needed follow-up tests.

New York State has made efforts to help people get screened for breast cancer:

  • New York State oversees a statewide Cancer Services Program (CSP) to provide free breast cancer screening and follow-up tests, if needed, to people without health insurance and who qualify. The CSP can also help people connect to other local services to meet their needs. Call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) to find your local CSP or visit the Cancer Community Programs List to search by county.
  • Many breast cancer screening locations across the state are open late or on weekends to make it easier to get a mammogram appointment.
  • New York State does not allow most health insurance plans in New York to charge co-pays or coinsurance for breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests. Find out more here.

More about breast cancer:

* Please note that for the purposes of this webpage, the term "female" is used to refer to individuals who were assigned female at birth (AFAB). In addition, the terms "women" and "female" are used when it is necessary to accurately reflect how data were collected and reported in the original source.