Meer borstkankersterfte 2008: preventie intensiveren

According to data of Statistics Netherlands the number of women dying from breast cancer has risen from 3180 in 2007 to 3327 in 2008 (+5%). The increase was largest for women aged 60-69 years (+16%) and was rather unexpected, as breast cancer mortality had decreased by 25-30% in the Netherlands since 1995, despite the rapid increase in breast cancer incidence during the same period. Does this mean that the limits of earlier diagnosis by screening and more effective treatment have now been reached? Specific action to increase the quality and breast cancer detection rate of the current breast cancer screening program and wider use of chemotherapy, hormonal treatment, targeted therapy and their combinations will probably not be enough to compensate for the continuing increase in breast cancer incidence. Unquestionably, lowering the exposure to modifiable risk factors is the most effective strategy to reduce breast cancer mortality in the long run. These risk factors are the relatively old age when having a first child, a short period of breast feeding or absence of breast feeding, being overweight, little physical exercise and increased alcohol consumption.