Breast cancer survival rates with mammographic screening: similar favorable survival rates for women younger and those older than 50 years.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of a population-based mammographic screening program on breast cancer survival rates in women younger and in those older than 50 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 56,881 women, aged 39-71 years, were invited to participate in mammographic screening one to four times during a 6 1/2-year period. RESULTS A total of 671 cases of primary breast cancer were diagnosed, of which 472 (70%) cases were detected at screening. There was no substantial difference in stage distribution between women younger and those older than 50 years of age. The cumulative breast cancer survival rate for all women with breast cancer was 88% after 7 years; the cumulative breast cancer survival rates in women younger and in those older than 50 years of age were 92% and 87%, respectively. CONCLUSION The similar breast cancer survival rates in women younger and in those older than 50 years suggest that mammographic screening can be effective in women aged 40-49 years.