Breast cancer recurrence risk down since 1980s

Improved early detection of less-advanced cancers gives drugs a better chance of working, the targeted therapies have been credited with improving overall cancer survival. - Freeimages.com

Rates of breast cancer recurrence fell by half or more between the 1980s and the early 2000s – likely due to improved treatments and increased screenings, according to a new study.

The analysis of data on Canadian breast cancer patients offers reassurance that breast cancer survival is improving and also provides updated data to researchers, says the study’s lead author, Dr Karen Gelmon from the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, British Columbia.