A new report about the incidence of and mortality from breast
cancer in Australian women has revealed a decrease in death rates
from the disease over two consecutive years.
The report, Breast Cancer in Australian Women
1982-1996, was commissioned by the National Breast Cancer
Centre and produced by the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare in collaboration with the Australasian Association of
Cancer Registries. It shows that while breast cancer is still the
most common cause of cancer death in Australian women, a fall in
mortality rates of 4% in 1995 and 3% in 1996 was evident.
Director of the National Breast Cancer Centre, Professor Sally
Redman, said the findings are encouraging and they may suggest that
we are beginning to see a real pattern of falling death rates.
'This good news can probably be attributed to the mammographic
screening program, as well as improvements in treatment and a
greater awareness about early detection in the community,' she
said.
Dr Paul Jelfs, Head of the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare's Cancer Monitoring Unit, said the fall in deaths was
occurring despite the fact that incidence rates increased by an
average of 2.2% each year from 1982 to 1996.
'Between 1982-1986 and 1992-1996, breast cancer incidence rates
increased by 37% in women aged 50 years and over. There was also a
7% rise in the rate for women aged 15 to 39 years and a 23%
increase in the rate for women aged 40-49 years.'
The report found very little difference in the rate of breast
cancer deaths in urban and rural areas.
'This is also encouraging, and suggests that care for rural
women is on a par with the care received by urban women,' said
Professor Redman.
The report is available on the National Breast Cancer Centre's
website (www.nbcc.org.au) and the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare's website (www.aihw.gov.au).
12 August 1999
Further information: Debra Lee, NBCC, ph. 02
9334 1713 or 04 1128 6510 (mob), or Michelle Wells, AIHW, ph. 02
6244 1012.
For media copies of the report: Lena Searle, ph.
02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.