Breast Cancer Death Rates Drop 40% Over Three Decades in the U.S.

Breast cancer has become far less deadly in the United States, with death rates falling by more than 40% over the past three decades, according to a new report from the medical journal Lancet.

The study tracked breast cancer outcomes from 1990 to 2023 and found the rate of new diagnoses also dropped by nearly 30% during that period.

Researchers say advanced screening methods and early treatment options have made breast cancer significantly more survivable for American women. The improvements mark a major shift in how the disease affects patients in the U.S.

The gains haven't reached all parts of the world, though. Lower-income countries still see breast cancer death rates above 80%, highlighting the gap in medical resources and access to screening between wealthier and poorer nations.