Breast Cancer Anomalies

The death rate from breast cancer among females in England and Wales which had been falling during 1951-59 at ages before 45 increased from 1960 to 1967; and at ages 45-64 there has been a progressive increase ever since 1955. Regional rates at the early ages were considerably higher in Greater London than in the north until 1961, but the difference then gradually disappeared; and at higher ages an excess in the south over that in the north and Wales has persisted at ages 45-64. Whilst the total mortality from breast and uterine cancers combined has shown little regional variation, the proportion of breast cancer in the total has been consistently higher in the south than in the north, and possible implications of this are discussed. Breast cancer rates in the regions are positively associated with the dietary intake per person of butter, cheese, liquid milk and green vegetables but this in itself does not prove a causative connection.