Breast cancer detection improving as screening advances

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 27 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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In the UK, the number of breast cancer cases that have been detected has gone up 13% in one year. 9,488 cases were found, the previous year's total was 8,545. These figures are according to the Department of Health, UK, 2002-2003.

New screening techniques are the main reasons for this increase in detections.

The 'two-view' mammography is the new technique that was introduced last year. In this technique, two X-rays are taken of each breast at different angles.

According to research, this technique can improve detection rates by 42%. It is especially good at detecting small cancers.

The increase in detection seems to be mainly with older women - breast cancer is more prevalent in older women.