The National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced that breast cancer mortality rates in the U.S. decreased by 43% from 1990 to 2020. This reduction is attributed to earlier detection through mammography screening and advancements in treatment. The institute highlighted the success of the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) in generating evidence that has informed clinical practice guidelines and policy decisions to reduce the burden of breast cancer.
Data from the BCSC, a network of mammography registries and health care providers across seven states, indicates that a substantial proportion of screen-detected breast cancers are early-stage, which correlates with better treatment outcomes. Dr. Joann G. Elmore, a professor of medicine at UCLA and co-principal investigator for the UCLA BCSC site, stated that 'The BCSC has been instrumental in providing critical information for radiologists, clinicians, and women over the past 30 years regarding the benefits and harms of breast cancer screening.'
Future research leveraging the BCSC is planned to focus on personalized breast cancer screening, addressing overdiagnosis concerns, improving risk prediction, and enhancing the effectiveness of screening technologies. The NCI aims to continue using the consortium's data to further refine screening strategies and treatment approaches, particularly for diverse populations and those with specific breast cancer subtypes.
