Breast cancer death rates declining in Canada (crosspost)

<http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?s...1934155C638255.

Breast cancer death rates declining in Canada

April 12 2007 at 01:26AM

Ottawa - Fewer women in Canada succumbed to breast cancer in recent
decades because of more and better screening, as well as improved
remedies, said a report on Wednesday.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the death rate for breast cancer
for Canadian women fell 25 percent since 1986, and the survival rate
beyond five years was 86 percent for women diagnosed between 1996-1998.

Incidence rates also declined or stabilised during the period, the agency
said.

"We know breast cancer screening works," explained Paul Lapierre, a
spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society. "If more women are screened,
more will survive."

'We know breast cancer screening works'
He pointed to better quality mammography and increased participation in
breast screening programs, especially by women aged 50-69, leading to
earlier disease detection, which meant successful treatment was more
likely.

Advances in breast cancer treatment, such as increased use of chemotherapy
and the drug tamoxifen, also contributed to improved breast cancer
survival.

Despite the impetus, breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed
cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women,
after lung cancer.

An estimated 22 300 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada
in 2007. An estimated 5 300 Canadian women will die from the disease.