Breast cancer deaths in the U.S. are on the decline

The American Cancer Society has announced that the amount of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. has dropped sharply in the last 20 years.

Between 1990 and 2011, the number of deaths from breast cancer fell from 33 to 22 per 100,000 U.S. women — a 34 percent decline. That represents more than 200,000 lives saved from breast cancer death.

Experts told USA Today the decline is thanks to better treatments, more awareness, and more frequent checkups. Mammography rates among women 40 and older have risen from 29 percent in 1987 to 67 percent from 2005 to 2010. Experts believe the positive trends have extended through the last five years, too.

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