Impressive time‐related influence of the Dutch screening programme on breast cancer incidence and mortality, 1975‐2006

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess changes in the trends in breast cancer mortality and incidence from 1975 to 2006 among Dutch women, in relation to the implementation of the national breast cancer screening programme. Screening started in 1989 for women aged 50–69 and was extended to women aged 70–75 years in 1998 (attendance rate approximately >80%). A joinpoint Poisson regression analysis was used to identify significant changes in rates over time. Breast cancer mortality rates increased until 1994 (age group 35–84), but thereafter showed a marked decline of 2.3–2.8% per annum... Mehr ...