Breast cancer survival after mammography dissemination in Brazil: a population-based analysis of 2,715 cases

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess breast cancer survival rates after one decade of mammography in a large urban area of Brazil. METHODS: It is a population-based retrospective cohort of women with breast cancer in Campinas, São Paulo, from 2010 to 2014. Age, vital status and stage were accessed through the cancer and mortality registry, and patients records. Statistics used Kaplan–Meier, log-rank and Cox's regression. RESULTS: Out of the 2,715 cases, 665 deaths (24.5%) were confirmed until early 2020. The mean age at diagnosis was 58.6 years. Women 50–69 years were 48.0%, and stage I the most frequent (25.0%). The overall mean survival was 8.4 years (8.2–8.5). The 5-year survival (5yOS) for overall, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 years was respectively 80.5%, 87.7%, 83.7%, 83.8% and 75.5%. The 5yOS for stages 0, I, II, III and IV was 95.2%, 92.6%, 89.4%, 71.1% and 47.1%. There was no significant difference in survival in stage I or II (p = 0.058). Compared to women 50–59 years, death's risk was 2.3 times higher for women 70–79 years and 26% lower for women 40–49 years. Concerning stage I, the risk of death was 1.5, 4.1 and 8.6 times higher, and 34% lower, respectively, for stage II, III, IV and 0. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, breast cancers are currently diagnosed in the early stages, although advanced cases persist. Survival rates may reflect improvements in screening, early detection and treatment. The results can reflect the current status of other regions or countries with similar health care conditions.