Temporal trends show improved breast cancer survival in Australia but widening urban-rural differences.

We examined geographic patterns in breast cancer survival over time using population-based data for breast cancer diagnosed between 1987 and 2007 in New South Wales, Australia. We found that five-year relative survival increased during the entire study period. Multivariable analysis indicated that there was little geographic variation in 1992-1996, but in 1997-2001 and 2002-2007 geographic variation was statistically significant (P < 0.01), with women living in rural areas having higher risk of death from breast cancer. The underlying reasons for this widening survival disparity must be identified so that appropriately targeted interventions can be implemented and the disparity reduced.