Breast Cancer Mortality Rate in US Women Drops 58% from 1975 to 2019, Study Finds
Breast cancer mortality rates in the United States have seen a significant decline of 58 percent between 1975 and 2019, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study attributes this decline to advancements in screening and treatment methods. The research also reveals that nearly half of the reduction can be attributed to earlier and more effective treatment of patients with Stage 1, 2, or 3 breast cancer.
Improved mammography screening accounted for approximately 25 percent of the drop in mortality rates, while better treatment options for metastatic breast cancer, which refers to cancer that has spread, contributed to about 29 percent of the decline. These findings were derived from an analysis of observational and clinical trial data from four models within the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network, which tracks breast cancer screenings and treatments.
The researchers utilized modeling techniques to account for changes in breast cancer incidence over time. Jennifer Caswell-Jin, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor of oncology at Stanford Medicine, explains that the 58 percent reduction figure represents what the mortality rate would have been in 2019 if no improvements had been made in screenings and treatments over the past 44 years.
Without modeling, the data shows that the mortality rate decreased by 44 percent from 1975 to 2019. In 1975, there were 48 deaths per 100,000 women, which dropped to 27 per 100,000 women in 2019.
While these statistics indicate overall progress in reducing breast cancer mortality, an accompanying editorial emphasizes that these reductions have not been evenly distributed across all patient populations. Rural, Black, and uninsured patients still face the greatest risk of dying from breast cancer.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the United States, excluding skin cancers, and is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, following lung cancer.
The findings of this study shed light on the significant progress made in combating breast cancer over the past few decades. Advances in screening and treatment methods have played a crucial role in reducing mortality rates. However, it is essential to address the disparities that still exist among different patient populations to ensure that all women have equal access to quality care and improved outcomes.
As breast cancer continues to be a prevalent health issue, ongoing research and efforts to enhance screening techniques and treatment options are vital. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the impact of advancements in breast cancer care and serve as a reminder of the importance of early detection and access to effective treatments.
For more information on breast cancer statistics and further research, please refer to the hyperlinks provided.
