OnMedica – News – Breast cancer screening associated with a significantly lower risk of death

Women who attend breast screening have a 60% lower risk of breast cancer death in the first 10 years

Women participating in breast screening have significantly more benefit from treatment than those who have not been examined, according to a study * of over 50,000 women published in Cancer.

The study, funded by the American Cancer Society and used data on women in Sweden, found that women who decided to take part in an organized breast cancer program had a 60% lower risk of dying from breast cancer within 10 years of diagnosis , and a 47% lower risk of dying from breast cancer within 20 years after diagnosis.

The study included 52,438 women aged 40-69 in the Dalarna district, Sweden, during the 39 years of screening (1977-2015). All patients received a stage-specific treatment according to the latest national guidelines, regardless of the way they were detected.

The annual incidence of breast cancer was calculated in conjunction with the annual incidence of breast cancer, which was fatal within 10 years, and for 11 to 20 years of diagnosis in women aged 40-69 years who were or did not participate in screening mammography during the 39- (1977-2015).

The results show that women who decided to take part in an organized screening program for breast cancer had a 60% lower risk of dying from breast cancer within 10 years after diagnosis (relative risk, 0.40, 95% confidence interval, 0.34- 0.48) and 47% lower risk of dying from breast cancer within 20 years after diagnosis (relative risk, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-0.63) compared to the corresponding risks for non- participants.

The researchers said that this benefit occurs because, at an earlier stage, cancer detection is detected, which significantly better responds to treatment.

Older author Professor Stephen Duffi of the University of Kueen Mari in London said: "Recent improvements in treatment have led to a reduction in breast cancer deaths. However, these new results show a vital role that the screening should also play, giving women much greater benefit than modern treatments We need to ensure that participation in breast screening programs is improving, especially in socioeconomically endangered areas. "

In the United Kingdom, mammography screening is offered to all women aged 50-70 through the NHS breast screening program, with an average participation rate of over 70%, but dramatically vary across the country, with lower rates in the poorer areas of the city.

Tabar L et al. The incidence of fatal breast cancer measures the increased efficacy of therapy in women participating in mammography. Cancer, published online November 8, 2018.