By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — As many as 62 women in Cattaraugus County are likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 10 of them could die, according to New York State Cancer Registry statistics.
Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins shared local data on breast cancer with members of the Cattaraugus County Board of Health on Wednesday, which also marked the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Watkins said data from 2017-2022 showed 61.8 breast cancer cases a year, or 109.9 per 100,000 women. It also showed an average of 9.8 breast cancer deaths a year, or 18.1 per 100,000 women.
Across the U.S. this year, nearly 317,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and more than 42,000 are expected to die. In addition, invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2,800 men, an estimated 510 who will die.
Statistics show white women have a higher incidence of breast cancer (139 per 100,000), as compared to Black women (129.3), but mortality rates are much higher among Black women 26.8 per 100,000, as compared to white women (19.4).
Watkins said one reason for the higher death rate for Black women from breast cancer is their risk of triple-negative breast cancer. It is an aggressive form of breast cancer that does not respond to hormonal therapy, or HER-2 treatments, leaving chemotherapy and immunotherapy the main treatment options.
In addition to regular self exams looking for lumps in their breasts, women should get an annual mammograph beginning at age 40, according to recommendations from the American College of Radiology. This is because women are being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier than in the past.
Watkins said studies have shown that for women in their 40s and 50s who have regular mammogram screenings can decrease breast cancer deaths by 15% to 29%.
Breast cancer risk factors include genetics and family history, race/ethnicity, age, sex, drinking alcohol, obesity and smoking. Symptoms can include a lump or thickening that feels different from surrounding tissue, changes to the skin like dimpling, a newly inverted nipple, or redness or pitting of the skin over the breast.
Types of breast cancer treatment are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
In other news, Watkins reported to board members that the county health department had presented its proposed 2026 budget to County Administrator Kelly Reed. Expenses of $14.2 million are up 6.6%, while projected revenues of $11.2 million are up 15.9% from the $9.6 million in revenue this year.
The cost to the county for proposed health department programs in 2026 is $3.4 million, down 15% from $4.1 million this year
Some of the reasons for the decrease in the county’s share are new grants including $1.2 million for lead abatement, a $250,000, community development block grant, $58,488 from the JUUL e-cigarette settlement and $100,000 in Medicaid reimbursement.
