title: Breast cancer in younger women in Switzerland 1996-2009: a longitudinal population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of death in younger women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed incidence, mortality and relative survival (RS) in women with BC aged 20-49 years at diagnosis, between 1996 and 2009 in Switzerland. Trends are reported as estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings confirm a slight increase in the incidence of BC in younger Swiss women during the period 1996-2009. The increase was largest in women aged 20-39 years (EAPC 1.8%). Mortality decreased in both age groups with similar EAPCs. Survival was lowest among women 20-39 years (10-year RS 73.4%). We observed no notable differences in stage of disease at diagnosis that might explain these differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased incidence and lower survival in younger women diagnosed with BC in Switzerland indicates possible differences in risk factors, tumour biology and treatment characteristics that require additional examination.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Geneva, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bodmer
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Cancer Epidemiology and Registration (NICER), Seilergraben 49, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: anita.feller@nicer.org.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.affiliation: Ticino Cancer Registry, Institute of Pathology, 6600 Locarno 1, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bordoni
authors.affiliation: Geneva Cancer Registry, Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Bd de la Cluse 55, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bouchardy
authors.affiliation: Cancer Registry of the Cantons Zurich and Zug, University Hospital Zurich, Vogelsangstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dehler
authors.affiliation: Cancer Registry St Gallen-Appenzell, Cancer League St. Gallen-Appenzell, Flurhofstr. 7, 9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ess
authors.affiliation: Neuchâtel Cancer Registry, Avenue des Cadolles 7, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Vaud Cancer Registry, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 10, 1010 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.affiliation: Valais Cancer Registry, Health Observatory Valais, Avenue Grand-Champsec 86, 1950 Sion, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Konzelmann
authors.affiliation: Geneva Cancer Registry, Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Bd de la Cluse 55, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rapiti
authors.affiliation: SAKK Coordinating Center, Effingerstrasse 40, 3008 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Annik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Section of Geriatrics, Boston University Medical Center, 88 East Newton St., Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Kerri M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Clough-Gorr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012307:Risk Factors; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breast cancer; Cancer epidemiology; Incidence; Mortality; Survival; Younger women