Research and Training Grants in Breast Cancer
The American Cancer Society funds scientists and medical professionals who study cancer across the United States.
168
Grants
Total Breast Cancer Grants in Effect as of March 1, 2020
$69
Million
Total Breast Cancer Grant Funding in Effect as of March 1, 2020
Spotlight on Breast Cancer Grantees
We use a rigorous and independent peer review process to select the most innovative research to fund. Here are some examples of scientists who have grants or who recently published high-impact research made possible by funding from the American Cancer Society.
Mouse Study: New Targets for Treatment of Hormone-Resistant Breast Cancers
Monitoring the Treatment of Metastatic Cancer Using DNA in the Blood
Studying the PTK6 Gene as a Potential Target for Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Studying Quality of Care for Medicaid Patients with Breast or Colorectal Cancer
Time-Lapse Movies of Cells Show How They “Decide” Whether to Keep Growing
From Our Researchers
The American Cancer Society employs a staff of full-time researchers who relentlessly pursue the answers that help us understand how to prevent, detect, and treat cancer, including breast cancer.
Study Finds Black Men Have Higher Incidence Rates for All Types of Breast Cancer
Cancer Facts & Figures
Our Data Science program (formerly called Surveillance and Health Services) analyzes data on breast cancer each year as part of its Cancer Facts & Figures report and every 2 years in its Breast Cancer Facts & Figures report.
These publications provide detailed analyses and estimates of cancer incidence and mortality trends in the United States. They also have the latest information on risk factors, early detection, treatment, and current research.
Key breast cancer statistics in the US include:
- For women, the 3 most common cancers are breast, lung, and colorectal, accounting for 50% of all new diagnoses. Breast cancer alone accounts for 30% of newly diagnosed invasive cancers in women.
- About 281,550 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2021. Incidence rates have increased slightly—by about 0.5% a year on average—in the last decade. This may be due in part to increased obesity and women having fewer children or having their first child after age 30.
- About 12% of women who are screened for breast cancer have an abnormal mammogram, but only 5% of these women have cancer.
- About 43,600 women will die from the disease in 2021. For women, the death rate declined 41% between 1989 and 2018.
- Not all women have benefited equally from this progress. Non-Hispanic Black women at every age are more likely to die from breast cancer. The higher breast cancer death rate in Black women in part reflects the higher number of diagnoses of triple negative breast cancer in Black women. Black women are twice as likely as women of other racial and ethnic groups in the US to be diagnosed with this harder-to-treat cancer.
- Black women do not have the same access to high-quality cancer care compared to white women. They are more likely to be screened at lower resourced and nonaccredited facilities, to go longer between mammograms, and to wait longer for a follow-up exam after getting an abnormal result.
- Breast cancer is not only a women’s disease. In 2021, 2,650 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 530 men will die from it.
Additional data about breast cancer is available at the Cancer Statistics Center website.
Studying Breast Cancer Causes and Prevention
Our Population Science program (former known as Epidemiology Research) conducts large, nationwide studies to advance our understanding about why cancer occurs, long-term survivorship, policies and guidelines, and prevention programs like these:
Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II). The team began this study in 1982 to study the link between lifestyle and cancer. They continually analyze its data. Here are some of their findings:
- Postmenopausal women who walk at least 7 hours a week may help lower their risk of developing breast cancer by 14%.
- Postmenopausal women who lose 10 or more pounds and keep it off for at least 5 years might reduce their risk for breast cancer.
- Women who gained more than 70 pounds after age 18 had double the risk of breast cancer after menopause compared to women who maintained their weight within 5 pounds of their weight at age 18.
- Women who smoke may be at an increased risk for developing breast cancer.
Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). The focus of this study is to learn more about cancer risks and to better understand how to prevent cancer, including breast cancer.
Learn more about our Cancer Prevention Studies.
ACS Breast Cancer Research News
Breast Cancer Research Videos
Watch our videos to learn more about our breast cancer research.
Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2013-2014 Key Findings
Legends: Mary-Claire King, PhD
ACS Grantee Studies Breast & Ovarian Cancer Prevention
ACS Grantee Studies Breast Cancer
ACS Grantee's Research Reaches Latinas