Breast Cancer

Introduction

Cancer Research UK provides a brief guide to breast cancer that includes information about symptoms, early detection, screening for breast cancer and possible risk factors. 

Facts and figures

Incidence of breast cancer

Incidence is defined as the number of new cases identified in a given period of time.

In Blackpool each year there are approximately 126 new cases of breast cancer identified (based on 2020-2022 data). Figure 1 shows the trend in the cancer incidence rate in Blackpool and England. The incidence rate (in this case per 100,000 population) is calculated to allow comparison between geographies of different population sizes and with different age make ups.

Breast cancer incidence dropped both nationally and locally from 2019 due to the reduced screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase from 2021 onwards is likely because screening and diagnosis picked up post-lockdowns. Comparatively, breast cancer incidence in Blackpool (210.3 per 100,000 females) is significantly higher than the England rate (175.6) (2022)

Figure 1 - incidence of breast cancer - 2001-2022 annual trend Source: Cancer registration statistics - NDRS (as of July 2026)

Mortality from breast cancer

Each year in Blackpool there are approximately 26 deaths (female, all ages) due to breast cancer. The directly standardised mortality rate (in this case per 100,000 of the female population) is calculated to allow comparison between geographies of different population sizes and with different age make ups. Between 2022-2024 the rate of breast cancer deaths in Blackpool (female, all ages) was 31.4, not significantly different to the England rate of 30.5. Most geographical areas across England have similar rates of breast cancer mortality.

Breast cancer survival rates

Cancer survival rates are estimates of the percentage of people still alive after a diagnosis, over a specific time period. It usually only refers to primary cancers and does not include secondary cancers or recurrences.

The one-year breast cancer survival rate for both Blackpool's sub-integrated care board and England has steadily increased since 2005. In 2020, the one-year survival rate for breast cancer in Blackpool was 96.3%, compared to 88.6% in 2005 (please note, this is the most recent data as of July 2026). Across England the one-year survival rate in 2020 was 97.3% (compared to 94.7% in 2005)

Breast cancer screening

The NHS administers a national cancer screening programme aimed at detecting early symptoms of breast cancer. Breast cancer screening is included as a local authority level indicator within the Public Health Outcome Framework. The definition of this breast cancer screening coverage measure is, the proportion of women aged 53-70 resident in the area with a screening test result recorded in the previous three years.

Blackpool achieved a screening coverage rate of 64.7% in the three years to March 2025, almost increasing back to levels seen in 2019, showing a trend that is overall improving. However, eligible women in Blackpool are still significantly less likely to be screened for breast cancer compared to the North West region or England as a whole. The impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer screening during the pandemic (including the suspension of the programme in March 2020) accounts for the reduced uptake seen between 2020 and 2022.^1,2

Figure 2 - breast cancer screening coverage

National and local strategies (current best practices)

• • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provide guidance, advice, NICE Pathways and quality standards on breast cancer 

Risk factors

Cancer Research UK has compiled a summary of risk factors and causes of breast cancer.

 [1] NHS Digital (2022) NHS Breast Cancer Screening Programme, England, 2020-21: COVID-19 impact during 2020-21.

[2] See, for example, Duffy, S.W., Seedat, F., Kearins, O. et al (2022) The projected impact of the COVID-19 lockdown period on breast cancer deaths in England due to the cessation of population screening: a national estimation. British Journal of Cancer, 126, 1355-1361. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-022-01714-9.