Epidemiology trends and progress in breast cancer survival: earlier diagnosis, new therapeutics

Purpose of review: In this review we will critically appraise the latest evidence on breast cancer (BC) survival trends and discuss how these may reflect breakthroughs in early diagnosis and treatment approaches. We will address the wide global inequalities in BC survival and review the ongoing initiatives aimed at improving cancer control worldwide. Recent findings: BC outcomes have improved in high-income countries during the last decades, following the implementation of strategies for early detection and optimal multimodality treatment. Novel therapeutics, such as anti-HER2 targeted treatments, have also contributed to the progress in BC survival. However, BC mortality is still high in low-income countries, due to the lack of optimal healthcare infrastructures. In the context of marked inequities in BC management across world regions, international collaborations such as the Global Breast Cancer Initiative and the Global Initiative for Cancer Registry Development work to foster capacity-building in developing countries, tackle the burden of BC and deliver the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Summary: Collection of robust, high-quality data from population-based cancer registries is crucial to drive and refine public health interventions. Population-based data are also the litmus paper to evaluate the real-world impact of clinical advances and monitor progress.