Breast Cancer Mortality Drops 40% in Spain Despite Rising Diagnoses
Madrid, Spain – Mortality rates from breast cancer in Spain have fallen by approximately 42% between 1990 and 2023, according to a new study published Tuesday in The Lancet Oncology. The research, part of the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study, reveals a significant improvement in survival rates, even as the number of diagnoses has increased.
In 1990, around 24 women per 100,000 in Spain died from breast cancer. By 2023, that figure had dropped to 13.9 deaths per 100,000, demonstrating that despite population growth and aging, a woman is now far less likely to die from the disease than in previous decades. This positive trend is attributed to advancements in prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.
However, the number of new breast cancer cases diagnosed has risen sharply – a 65% increase, reaching approximately 29,400 in 2023. Experts attribute this rise to a larger population and an increased number of women in higher-risk age groups. When adjusted for these demographic factors, the actual probability of developing the disease has remained relatively stable, even showing a slight decrease of 5%.
The Spanish experience mirrors a broader global trend observed in high-income countries, where standardized mortality rates have decreased by an average of 29.9% thanks to successful screening programs, earlier diagnoses, and improved treatments.
“Despite this variability, I believe the article is important,” said Marina Pollán, epidemiologist and Director General of the Carlos III Health Institute, speaking to the Science Media Centre. “It highlights the disease burden of this tumor, which is a public health problem worldwide, the different life expectancy of women with this disease in countries with higher and lower income, and also shows the role of some modifiable risk factors.”
A Global Disparity
While progress is evident in wealthier nations, the study reveals a stark contrast in lower-income countries. There, standardized mortality rates have surged by 99.3% since 1990, indicating significant deficiencies in healthcare systems, delayed detection, and limited access to vital therapies. Researchers warn that without urgent global intervention, the impact of the disease will continue to grow, with worldwide diagnoses projected to rise from 2.3 million cases in 2023 to 3.56 million in 2050, resulting in around 1.37 million deaths.
The study also emphasizes the role of modifiable risk factors, finding that 28.3% of the global disease burden is attributable to dietary habits – including high red meat consumption – smoking, high fasting plasma glucose levels, a high body mass index, frequent alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle.
“Progress in ensuring that all women have the same chance of surviving breast cancer can only be achieved through a combination of aggressive prevention strategies, well-functioning healthcare systems capable of early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, and making cancer services accessible and affordable for all,” the study concludes.
Alejandro Pérez Fidalgo, an oncologist at the INCLIVA Health Research Institute in Valencia, hailed the findings as a “great health milestone.” “The fact that there are many more new cases and, yet, mortality has fallen by almost 42% in the same period is a great health achievement that we should celebrate,” he told the Science Media Centre.