Fewer die from breast cancer

Statistics Norway newly reported that the death toll from breast cancer in women continues to go down. "This is an exceptionally good trend," says Chief Physician and Head of Department Rita Steen at the Cancer Registry of Norway.

662 women died of breast cancer in Norway in 2007. This is the lowest mortality from this illness registered in Norway the past few years. According to the Cancer Registry’s publication of statistics, Cancer in Norway 2007, 2761 women were diagnosed with breast cancer that year.

The Cancer Registry of Norway is responsible for the national screening programme against breast cancer. Rita Steen heads the Screening Department at the Registry. She is pleased with this development:

"We think that this is a trend that will continue. We expect an even greater effect of the Breast Cancer Screening Programme in the future. Better treatment also contributes in reducing breast cancer mortality.”

The national Breast Cancer Screening Programme started in 1995/96 and became nation wide in 2005. The programme invites women 50-69 years of age to mammography every two years. The goal is to reduce mortality from breast cancer in those women who are invited.

Table: Number of  breast cancer deaths among women - 1994-2007 (Souce: Statistics Norway)