Big fall in breast disease deaths

Research from 30 countries found large drops in the number of women dying, particularly in the UK and Iceland.

Typically, death rates from breast cancer fell by almost a fifth across the countries, ranging from a 45 per cent reduction in Iceland to a 17 per cent increase in Romania.

England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, had the second, third, and fourth largest decreases of 35 per cent, 29 per cent, and 30 per cent, coming after Iceland.

In France, Finland, and Sweden, death rates decreased by 11 per cent, 12 per cent and 16 per cent in comparison.

The study contradicts claims that survival rates in the UK are worse than in other western European countries. Experts said the latest research was more reliable.