The impact of eliminating age inequalities in stage at diagnosis on breast cancer survival for older women

Br J Cancer. 2015 Mar 31;112 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S124-8. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2015.51.

Abstract

Background: Older women with breast cancer have poorer relative survival outcomes, but whether achieving earlier stage at diagnosis would translate to substantial reductions in mortality is uncertain.

Methods: We analysed data on East of England women with breast cancer (2006-2010) aged 70+ years. We estimated survival for different stage-deprivation-age group strata using both the observed and a hypothetical stage distribution (assuming that all women aged 75+ years acquired the stage distribution of those aged 70-74 years). We subsequently estimated deaths that could be postponed beyond 5 years from diagnosis if women aged 75+ years had the hypothetical stage distribution. We projected findings to the English population using appropriate age and socioeconomic group weights.

Results: For a typically sized annual cohort in the East of England, 27 deaths in women with breast cancer aged 75+ years can be postponed within 5 years from diagnosis if their stage distribution matched that of the women aged 70-74 years (4.8% of all 566 deaths within 5 years post diagnosis in this population). Under assumptions, we estimate that the respective number for England would be 280 deaths (5.0% of all deaths within 5 years post diagnosis in this population).

Conclusions: The findings support ongoing development of targeted campaigns aimed at encouraging prompt presentation in older women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / pathology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • England
  • Female
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Healthcare Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survival Rate