Advanced breast cancer incidence following population-based mammographic screening

Autier, P and Boniol, M and Middleton, R and Doré, J F and Héry, C and Zheng, T and Gavin, A (2011) Advanced breast cancer incidence following population-based mammographic screening. Annals of Oncology, 22 (8). pp. 1726-1735. ISSN 1569-8041

Preview

PDF Ann_Oncol_2011_Autier_1726_35.pdf Final Published Version License: Download (162kB)| Preview

Abstract

Breast cancer mortality is declining in many Western countries. If mammography screening contributed to decreases in mortality, then decreases in advanced breast cancer incidence should also be noticeable. We assessed incidence trends of advanced breast cancer in areas where mammography screening is practiced for at least 7 years with 60% minimum participation and where population-based registration of advanced breast cancer existed. Through a systematic Medline search, we identified relevant published data for Australia, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK and the USA. Data from cancer registries in Northern Ireland, Scotland, the USA (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER), and Connecticut), and Tasmania (Australia) were available for the study. Criterion for advanced cancer was the tumour size, and if not available, spread to regional/distant sites. Age-adjusted annual percent changes (APCs) were stable or increasing in ten areas (APCs of −0.5% to 1.7%). In four areas (Firenze, the Netherlands, SEER and Connecticut) there were transient downward trends followed by increases back to pre-screening rates. In areas with widespread sustained mammographic screening, trends in advanced breast cancer incidence do not support a substantial role for screening in the decrease in mortality.