Women treated for early signs of breast cancer live LONGER

January 28, 2017

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) considered earliest form of breast cancer
Researchers assessed the death rates of 10,000 women 10 years after diagnosis
Those treated early were around 10% more likely to be alive than healthy women
Experts say it’s because those who have been diagnosed look after themselves

Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

Published:
10:25 EST, 27 January 2017

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Updated:
19:03 EST, 27 January 2017

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Women treated for early signs of breast cancer live longer than those who don’t go on to develop the tumours, scientists claim.

They were found to be 10 per cent more likely to be alive than the general population a decade on from being given the warning.

And experts believe it’s because those who have been through the scary diagnosis take care of themselves better.

Women treated for early signs of breast cancer were 10 per cent more likely to be alive after 10 years than the general population, a study found

Many women who are diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – a precursor of breast cancer – fear the worst.

It is found in the ducts of the breast and tends to be picked up during routine breast cancer screening.

But because it can progress into the deadly disease, many opt to have a mastectomy or other forms of surgery to prevent it from doing so.

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Researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute wanted to assess the death rates of women who were treated following a diagnosis.

They assessed medical records of 10,000 women between 1989 and 2004 over a period of 10 years.

Women over the age of 50 who had been treated for the condition had a lower risk of dying from any cause compared to the general population.

And experts believe it’s because those who have been through the scary diagnosis take care of themselves better (stock)

And they had a 2.5 per cent risk of dying from the disease after a period of 10 years, despite up to half of sufferers going on to develop it without treatment.

Professor Philip Poortmans, president of the European Cancer Congress, said: ‘Remarkably, the increased risk of dying from breast cancer is completely offset by a lower risk of dying from other causes compared to women in the general population.

‘HARMLESS’ TUMOURS

Breast cancer screening is resulting in a third of patients being treated for harmless tumours, a study found earlier this month.

It is feared women are undergoing surgery or toxic chemotherapy for a tumour so slow-growing, they would never have fallen ill.

A Danish study of women aged 50 to 69 – the same age group screened for breast cancer in the UK – found one in three tumours and early cancer cell clusters found in the milk ducts are over-diagnosed.

‘This might be explained by the generally better health and socioeconomic status of women who regularly participate in breast cancer screening.’

Study author Dr Lotte Elshof said: ‘Being diagnosed with DCIS can be extremely distressing, and research indicates that many women overestimate the risks involved and are confused about treatment.

‘This study should provide reassurance that a diagnosis of DCIS does not raise the risk of dying.

‘It might seem surprising that this group of women actually has a lower mortality rate than the general population.

‘However, the vast majority would have been diagnosed via breast screening, which suggests they may be health-conscious and well enough to participate in screening.’

The study was presented at the European Cancer Congress 2017 in Amsterdam.