Breast cancer in the UK 2026
Breast cancer is far from a done deal. It’s the most common cancer in women in the UK, with 1 in 7 women developing it in their lifetime. And it’s the biggest killer of working-age women.
This document lays bare the situation with breast cancer in the UK today – from how many people are developing it and how many survive, to the devastating effects it has on people.
About the document
This document sets out the state of breast cancer in the UK today. It contains the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on breast cancer, including:
How many people have breast cancer
The different types and stages of breast cancer
Which people are most affected
Breast cancer risk factors
Health inequalities
The treatment and care pathway
The impact of breast cancer on people’s wellbeing
How breast cancer affects the UK economy
View the full compendium.
How to use the document
Whether you’re a researcher or healthcare professional, work in government or campaigning, or you support our work in any way, it will help you to understand the state of breast cancer in the UK today. By having some of the core stats at your fingertips, you’ll be able to make better decisions, have more influence and be part of helping to make change happen for everyone affected by the disease. And you can use the information in this document in your work, as long as you reference it properly.
Key statistics
Some of the key statistics from the document are provided below. Please download the full document for references.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK. 1 in 7 women will develop it in their lifetime, and almost 1 in 3 new cancers diagnosed in women will be breast cancer. A woman is diagnosed every 9 minutes, and a man is diagnosed every day. That’s around 60,000 women and 450 men each year. And if nothing is done to change this, by 2040, a woman will be diagnosed every 8 minutes.
There are various risk factors, the most significant being sex and age
The biggest risk factors for developing breast cancer are sex and age. 80% of breast cancer cases are in women over 50. But genetics and family history also play a part. 5-10% of women with breast cancer are thought to have an inherited altered gene that increases their risk. There are also lifestyle factors that can be managed to reduce a person’s risk.
Progress is being made
It’s estimated that routine screening prevents around 1,300 deaths from breast cancer each year in the UK. And overall, there’s been a dramatic improvement in the number of people surviving the disease. In the 1990s, 3 in 20 women diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer died from the disease within 5 years. Today, it’s less than 1 in 20. And since 2020, 19 new breast cancer treatments have been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and/or the Scottish Medicines Consortium.
Breast cancer takes its toll on quality of life
The side effects of breast cancer treatment, anxiety and health fears can take a toll on people’s quality of life. And for many people, breast cancer can be isolating, affecting relationships, sex life and intimacy. People living with metastatic breast cancer (where the cancer has spread to another part of the body) face a number of issues, including worse physical wellbeing (greater pain, fatigue) and emotional wellbeing.
Breast cancer has a significant effect on the economy
Breast cancer cost the UK economy an estimated £3.2 to £3.5 billion in 2025. And the annual cost of breast cancer to the economy could rise to £3.9 to £4.2 billion by 2050 if nothing changes. Wellbeing costs associated with breast cancer are estimated to amount to a staggering £20.2 billion in 2025.
What's the solution?
We have a bold vision. That by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live and live well. We can’t do it on our own. But together, we can make change happen.
You can read about how we'll do this in our strategy, Change Happens Now.