Significant Reductions in U.S. Breast Cancer Mortality Tied to Screening and Treatment Advances
Analysis of breast cancer mortality rates in the U.S. from 1975 to 2019 reveals a remarkable 58% drop, with advancements in metastatic cancer treatment, stage I to III therapy, and mammography screening playing pivotal roles. The study, utilizing the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET), underscores that screening and treatments in 2019 were associated with over 50% lower breast cancer mortality compared to interventions four decades ago.
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Breast Cancer
Jennifer L. Caswell-Jin, MD, and colleagues from Stanford University School of Medicine utilized CISNET to create simulation models, focusing on the relationship between screening mammography, breast cancer stages I to III therapy, and mortality reduction. The research incorporated observational and clinical trial data, examining the impact of these interventions on U.S. breast cancer mortality rates among women aged 30 to 79 from 1975 to 2019.
The study notes a substantial decline in cancer mortality, from 48 per 100,000 women in 1975 to 27 per 100,000 women in 2019. The combined effects of cancer screening, stage I to III treatment, and metastatic treatment contributed to a 58% reduction in breast cancer mortality in 2019. Specifically, metastatic cancer treatment accounted for 29% of the reduction, stage I to III treatment for 47%, and mammography screening for 25%.
The analysis reveals that the most significant improvement in survival following metastatic recurrence occurred from 2000 to 2019, increasing from 1.9 years to 3.2 years. Additionally, in 2019, median survival for women with estrogen receptor-positive/ERBB2-positive cancer improved by 2.5 years, while women with estrogen receptor-negative/ERBB2-negative cancer experienced a 0.5-year improvement.
The researchers emphasize that their findings demonstrate the association between advances in metastatic breast cancer treatment and decreased cancer mortality rates at the population level. The study reflects the ongoing progress in breast cancer care and underscores the importance of screening and therapeutic interventions in achieving significant reductions in mortality.
