Breast cancer has lower overall mortality but greater incidence among younger women
Diagnoses in women between the ages of 20 and 54 have increased by around 29% in the last three decades.
Mortality linked to breast cancer in Spain has fallen significantly in recent decades. According to an international study published in The Lancet Oncology, deaths due to this tumour have been reduced by about 42% since 1990, despite the fact that the number of diagnoses has increased in the same period. Specialists attribute this progress mainly to better treatments, early diagnosis and screening programs, which have enabled detecting the disease at earlier stages.
At the same time, however, the researchers warn of a change in the profile of diagnoses. Although most cases still occur in women over 55 years of age, the incidence is growing faster among younger women. Specifically, diagnoses in women between the ages of 20 and 54 have increased by around 29% in the last three decades.
Why is breast cancer increasing among young women?
The causes of this phenomenon are still not entirely clear. Experts point to a combination of reproductive factors – such as delayed motherhood or shorter duration of breastfeeding – and changes in lifestyle, including more obesity, sedentary lifestyles or alcohol consumption. Furthermore, in young women the tumour is usually diagnosed at more advanced stages, as they are left out of screening programmes.
Meanwhile, research continues to make progress in the field of treatment as well. Recent studies on thousands of European patients show that some surgical techniques, such as sentinel node biopsy, allow breast cancer to be dealt with using less invasive procedures than traditional surgery, limiting sequelae and improving the quality of life of patients without compromising oncological efficacy.
