Breast cancer burden among young women from 1990 to 2021: a global, regional, and national perspective

Background Breast cancer, the most prevalent tumor in women globally, significantly impacts young women, compromising their daily lives and overall well-being. Breast cancer represents a significant public health concern due to its extensive physical and psychological consequences. Material and methods Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) were used to assess the global, regional, and national burden of breast cancer in young women aged 20–39 from 1990 to 2021. This analysis focused on trends measured by the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and explored the socioeconomic impacts via the sociodemographic index (SDI). Results During 1990–2021, the incidence and prevalence of breast cancer among young women increased globally, with annual rates of 0.82 and 0.87%, respectively. The mortality rate and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) also rose annually by −0.12% and −0.05, respectively. A significant burden shift was observed towards regions with lower SDI, with diet high in red meat, alcohol use, and high fasting plasma glucose identified as prominent risk factors, particularly in lower SDI regions. Conclusion Our findings underscore breast cancer in young women as an escalating global health challenge, with the burden increasingly shifting towards lower socioeconomic areas. This underscores the necessity for targeted prevention and control strategies for breast cancer, focusing on reducing the identified risk factors and ensuring equitable health resource distribution.