Breast cancer death rates plummet to new low in UK thanks to early diagnosis and better treatments
Breast cancer death rates have plummeted by a sixth in the UK over the past decade to a record low, new analysis reveals.
The ‘fantastic’ reductions have been driven by ‘huge strides’ in earlier diagnoses and better treatments, experts say.
But breast cancer remains the second biggest cause of cancer death in women – behind lung cancer – with more that can be done to reduce rates further, they add.
Deaths from the disease fell by 41 per cent between the 1970s and 2023, and by 16 per cent over the past ten years alone.
It means there are now 30 breast cancer deaths per 100,000 people in the UK, down from 52 per 100,000 in 1971, according to Cancer Research UK.
The charity credits the fall to more accurate and less invasive screening techniques and new breakthrough drugs, which can put the disease into remission and help prevent it from coming back.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the UK, with 56,000 new cases and 11,500 deaths each year.
Catching the disease early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, makes it easier and cheaper to treat and increases survival chances.
Breast cancer remains the second biggest cause of cancer death in women – behind lung cancer
But latest figures reveal around one in three eligible women in England – equivalent to almost 2million – are not up to date with their breast cancer screening, meaning many tumours are likely to be going undetected.
Cancer Research UK said death rates could be cut further if more women took up their offer of screening and adopted healthier lifestyles such as reducing intake of alcohol, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Sophie Brooks, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s fantastic news that, thanks to research, breast cancer death rates in the UK have reached a record low.
‘Since the 1970s, the rate of women dying from breast cancer has fallen by around 40 per cent – huge strides forward have been made, with early diagnosis and treatment essential to this.
‘Breast cancer screening is more accurate and less invasive than ever before.
‘In England alone, over 13,000 cases are found every year. Drugs like tamoxifen, anastrozole and Herceptin, developed with support from Cancer Research UK, have also transformed survival and prevention for breast cancer.
‘But there’s so much that can be done to save more lives from breast cancer.
‘Breaking down barriers to taking up screening, and action to help people keep a healthy weight and quit smoking, could make a big difference.
‘And if anyone notices anything unusual for them – including changes to their breast or chest – they should speak to their GP.
‘It probably won’t be breast cancer, but if it is, spotting it at an early stage means that treatment is more likely to be successful.’
NHS breast screening is offered to women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday.
Women registered with a GP will automatically get their first invitation between the ages of 50 and 53 and every three years after that.
If breast cancer is caught at stage one, meaning it is still localised, 98 out of 100 patients will still be alive five years later.
But if it detected at stage four, meaning it has spread around the body, only 27 in 100 will survive this long.
