Five Years Survival of Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer during the Period 1997-1999 in Toledo-Centro and Mancha Area, Spain

Abstract

Background: To determine 5-year relative survival (5 year-RS) of breast cancer cases in Toledo-Centro and Mancha area by age group and stage at diagnosis during the period 1997-1999. Methods: Data of incident breast cancer was obtained from Toledo Cancer Registry. Atotal of 366 tumours were included, classified by stage and age group (according to their inclusion in the screening program for breast cancer, <45, 45-64 and> 64). The 5 year-RS and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the Hakulinen method through the web-based application WAERS. Results: Global 5year-RS was 78.4% (CI 73.6-83.6), being 93.3% (CI 87.0-99.4) in <45 years, 87.6% (CI 81.5-94.1) for the 45-64 years age group and 75.4% (CI 65.3- 86.9) in > 64 years. The 5year-RS was 99.3% (CI: 94.4-104.5) for tumours with local stage, 81.9% (CI 74.0-90.8) for those tumours spread to lymph nodes and 20.1% (CI 9.7-41.6) for tumours with metastasis. At the time of diagnosis, 52.3% of tumours in women under age 45 had spread to lymph nodes, while 14.8% of women over 64 had distant metastasis. Conclusions: The 5year-RS is similar to the European average of EUROCARE-4 study. These results are a first step to assess, through the monitoring of these indicators, the impact of screening activities and therapeutic improvements in the 5year-RS of breast cancer in our area.