Breast cancer in Florida women. Incidence and stage at diagnosis.

Using the Florida Cancer Data System, trends were examined in female breast cancer incidence and stage of diagnosis over the period 1981-1989. The crude incidence rate increased 20% due to diagnosis at local stage or in situ. Incidence rates of disease with regional or distant spread have declined. Similar trends appear in all age groups statewide and in both Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites. The shift to earlier stage at diagnosis is not seen for nonwhite women who are less likely to be diagnosed at a local stage than white women, even after controlling for the younger age distribution of nonwhite cases. For non-Hispanic whites, the percent local at diagnosis is lowest in women in urban counties. Careful breast examination and mammographic screening for asymptomatic women lead to earlier diagnosis, longer survival and even cure. While considerable progress has been made in early detection, nonwhites and some urban residents in Florida have not received the full benefit of these changes.