THE CHALLENGE
The urgency of our mission is underscored by a burgeoning health crisis within our community. Data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveals a staggering surge in new breast cancer cases among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women between 2000 and 2021. During this period:
- 52% increase in incidence for AAPI women under 50.
- 33% increase in incidence for those aged 50–64.
- 43% increase in incidence for those 65 and older.
In contrast, women of all other races saw an average increase of only 3% during that same timeframe.
The Screening Gap
Despite these rising risks, screening rates remain dangerously low. Current data shows that only 44% of Asian women report having a mammogram within the past year. This rate is even lower among:
- Recent immigrants
- Uninsured individuals
- Those with limited formal education
Many of these women suffer in silence, deterred by the stigma and shame often associated with the disease. ABHOP exists to break that silence and replace fear with early detection and hope.
Quick Facts: Breast Cancer in 2026
- A Growing Need: There are now over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the US.
- Lifetime Risk: 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer; however, the risk of death has improved to 1 in 43 due to early detection efforts.
- 2026 Projections: An estimated 321,910 new invasive cases and 60,730 in situ cases will be diagnosed this year.
Sources:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), SEER Cancer Statistics Review
- American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2026
- American Cancer Society, Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Facts & Figures 2025-2026