Breast cancer death rates are on the wane in the U.S., according to a new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS).
The breast cancer death rate in the U.S. has decreased more than 2% per year since 1990, and the rate of decline among African-American and Hispanic women is similar to the decrease among white women, the ACS reported in its "Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2009-2010," released September 30.
Death rates for the disease remain 40% higher in African-American women compared to white women, the society said, and African-American women have a higher incidence of late-stage cancer and experience larger tumors. The ACS estimated that 192,370 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 40,170 women will die from the disease.
In 2002 and 2003, breast cancer incidence rates sharply decreased, especially among women ages 50 to 69, which the ACS attributed to a drop in menopausal hormone use.
Despite the relatively good news, the ACS urged clinicians to continue the effort to provide all women with access to early breast cancer detection and treatment.
"While there is much to celebrate in the fight against cancer, this report is also a strong reminder that far too many women still die of breast cancer and of the work yet to be done," said Elizabeth Fontham, national volunteer president of the ACS.
Related Reading
One-third of breast cancers overdiagnosed, European study finds, July 13, 2009
Canadian cancer screening rates rise, July 2, 2009
Declines in U.S. breast cancer rates not uniform, June 29, 2009
Falling breast cancer rates seen only in whites, April 17, 2008
Scandinavian studies take mammography to task once again, March 3, 2006
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