Majority of women now beating early breast cancer

An analysis by the British Medical Journal has found that most women with early breast cancer now beat the disease thanks to significant improvements in treatments in recent years.

Their risk of dying within five years of diagnosis is estimated to be around 5 per cent, down from 14 per cent in the 1990s.

Cancer Research UK have said this offers “reassurance” to many women but warns more highly trained staff are needed in order to meet rising demand.

The BMJ analysis tracked half a million women with early invasive breast cancer, mostly stages one and two, diagnosed in the 1990s, 2000s and between 2010 and 2015.  It found the prognosis for nearly all women “has improved substantially since the 1990s”, with most becoming long-term cancer survivors.

Based on those trends, the researchers behind the study say women diagnosed today also have a much lower risk.

Lead researcher and oncologist Professor Carolyn Taylor said of the study results “That’s good news, and reassuring for clinicians and patients”, and pointed to advances in treatment, including more targeted therapies for early breast cancer, such as Herceptin, new treatments such as hormonal therapies, and more precise and effective radiotherapy.

Professor Taylor also said more women are being screened for the cancer than 20 years ago and there is a greater awareness of the symptoms.

Naser Turabi, Cancer Research UK’s evidence and implementation director, says Covid was “very disruptive” but accepts “we were already on a worsening trend before the pandemic.”  The difference now is “we are seeing diagnostic and treatment delays” and “highly fragile services.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events including cases involving delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

If you or a relative have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence lawyers on the freephone number below or e-mail us.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 7382