Breast cancer: UK and international data

UK data

The Cancer Atlas of the United Kingdom and Ireland 1991-2000 suggests that in the 1990s there was relatively little geographical variation in female breast cancer incidence across the UK and Ireland (see Chapter 5(424Kb)). Incidence in Scotland was higher than in Ireland and Northern Ireland, but was similar to incidence in England and Wales. There was even less geographical variation in female breast cancer mortality, with mortality rates very similar across many parts of the UK and Ireland.

International data

Breast cancer incidence and mortality is higher in the UK and other western countries, than in the rest of the world (based on 2012 data). The World Health Organization's Cancer Today website is an interactive atlas that allows worldwide comparisons of cancer incidence, mortality and prevalence.

Chart 1 (41Kb) compares 5 year survival for breast cancer across selected European countries for women diagnosed between 2000 and 2007. It can be seen that relative survival was significantly lower in Scotland (80.8%) compared to the European average (83.8%). Interpretation of this data is difficult due to breast screening programmes being introduced at different times across Europe. Sant et al (2003) found that stage at diagnosis explains many of the observed differences in survival.

Another source of international data on breast cancer incidence and mortality is the Scotland and European Health for All (HfA) Database.