Excess mortality from breast cancer 20 years after diagnosis when life expectancy is normal

In a population-based study, causes of death were traced of 418 deceased br east cancer patients diagnosed in 1960-1979 who survived at least 10 years after diagnosis. The pattern of causes of death in these patients was compa red with the general female population using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), Of 418 patients surviving at least 10 years, 196 (47%) died from br east cancer and 50 (12%) died from another cancer. The SMR for breast cance r was 15.8 (95% CI: 13.1-18.8) 10-14 years after diagnosis; it was still 4. 7 (95% CI: 2.6-7.8) after 20 years. Overall mortality was higher than expec ted 10-14 years after diagnosis (SMR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.5), but lower afte r more than 20 years (SMR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.7). Despite a normal (or even improved) life expectancy for breast cancer patients 20 years after diagno sis the risk of dying from this disease remained elevated. (C) 2001 Cancer Research Campaign.