Breast cancer diagnoses are increasing

More and more women in Germany are getting breast cancer

02/12/2011

The most common cancer-related cause of death in women is breast cancer. While the number of breast cancer diagnoses, according to the Techniker Krankenkasse increase, simultaneously decreases the number of deaths from malignant tumors in the breast.

Number of deaths drops
The Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) reports that in Thuringia in 1998 there were 24 deaths per 100,000 women, while in 2009 only 20 deaths per 100,000 women due to breast cancer (breast cancer) were registered. Nationwide, the number of breast cancer related deaths dropped from 29 to 24 per 100,000 women. The Techniker Krankenkasse relies on information provided by the Gesellschaft der epidemiologischen Krebsregister in Deutschland (gekid).

Improved early detection cause for increase in breast cancer diagnoses?
As the Techniker Krankenkasse continues to report, the number of breast cancer diagnoses has increased by 21 percent in the last five years. According to experts, this could be due to the significantly improved early detection. This includes mammography, which can also detect tumors that are not necessarily life-threatening. TK health expert Steffani Gassner reports: „Mammography is undoubtedly a very good early detection method for breast cancer. However, the knowledge of possible pathological changes often not only burden the psyche, but may also lead to further examinations and operations. Therefore, every woman should decide for herself if she wants to use the possibility of an early detection mammogram.“

The radiation exposure of mammography can not be accurately estimated. Especially young women are exposed to a high dose of radiation in this study because their breast tissue is very dense and therefore requires a higher dose of radiation in order to obtain appropriate images.

Breast cancer screening
Women aged 50 to 69 are entitled to a free breast cancer screening every two years. Like the health network „Affects chest“ Recently, however, only about one in two women uses this option for precautionary measures. Many women seek medical advice only in the case of discomfort or a self-tattooed tumor. Since the tumors are then often very large, the prognosis is correspondingly poor. Breast cancer screening also detects very small, non-tactile changes in breast tissue, so this study can be instrumental in life-saving therapies. Because the sooner the diagnosis is made, the greater the chances of a successful treatment of the breast cancer. (Ag)

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