Breast cancer mortality continues to decline in Wisconsin.

Evidence from clinical trials suggests that increasing the use of mammography will lead to declines in breast cancer mortality. We analyzed trends in age-adjusted and age-specific breast cancer mortality in Wisconsin from 1979 to 1996. From 1979 to 1990, age-adjusted mortality rates among women of all ages increased about 0.7% per year, a result primarily of increasing rates among women 65 years of age and older. Since 1990, rates have decreased 3.4% per year. These data suggest that mammography is effective in reducing breast cancer mortality in the state. Wisconsin should reach its Year 2000 objective of reducing breast cancer mortality.