Breast cancer survival in Friuli Venezia Giulia exceeds 90% with early diagnosis

A long-term study conducted by the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (CRO) of Aviano in Friuli Venezia Giulia reveals that ten-year survival rates for breast cancer exceed 90% when diagnosed at an early stage. The research, published in the international journal ‘The Oncologist’, tracked over 10,400 women diagnosed with invasive mammary carcinoma between 2004 and 2014, following them through the end of 2023.

This population study is noted as the first in Italy to simultaneously estimate survival rates by considering three critical factors: the stage of the disease at diagnosis, the molecular profile, and the histological grade of the tumor. The data highlights the efficacy of prevention and advancements in oncological therapies. Specifically, for Stage I diagnoses, net ten-year survival exceeds 90% across all molecular subtypes, reaching up to 98.8% for hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative forms.

Supported by the Ministry of Health, the study underscores the importance of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Tumor Registry as a vital tool for cancer research and professional support. Regional Health Councilor Riccardo Riccardi described the findings as ‘comforting and encouraging’ due to the increased survival rates resulting from improved diagnosis and research progress.