Epidemiology of breast cancer in women: trends in early stage tumors

Population based cancer registries record, analyse and publish data about all cancers (of patients living) in Germany. This article shows data of these cancer registries in Germany for the epidemiology of breast cancer, especially looking at trends observed in early stage tumors. It is shown that with the introduction of mammography screening (2005-2009) especially numbers in early stage ductal carcinoma (NOS, not otherwise specified) increased and are now decreasing again. The portion of lobular carcinoma was initially constant and has been decreasing since 2015; rare histological groups (short: histologies) have also stayed nearly constant. These trends were observed during "screening age" (50-69 years) and for older women aged 70 years and older. Most patients with early stage cancer are diagnosed at an earlier age than patients with late stage cancer. An increase in the median age for patients with higher grades was also observed. Furthermore, a decrease in mortality of patients between 50 and 69 years was observed. At present, a public discussion is taking place in Germany to include patients aged 45-49 and 70-74 years into mammography screening. This could lead to a further decrease of mortality but to an increase of overdiagnosis as well. The introduction of further age groups into regular screening should be scientifically evaluated.