A new study from the American Cancer Society has shown that breast cancer death rates have dropped close to 40 per cent in America between 1989 and 2015.
While the disease remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women, a reported 322,600 deaths were averted during the recorded time. Further, it has been shown that breast cancer mortality rates saw an overall 39 per cent drop in 2015.
The leading cause for a decrease in breast cancer deaths is early detection - attributed to both early mammogram detection of the disease and improvements in breast cancer treatment as well as greater awareness surrounding the importance of breast checks.
Speaking with the Washington Post, Cancer Society director of breast gynaecological cancer surveillance research, Carol DeSantis, spoke positively about the changes: “This means that there is light at the end of the tunnel… Some states are showing that they can close the gap.”
