3 ms·

5-yrs mortality rates are a questionable statistic, especially when comparing death rates in time. Critics would argue that the lead time (i.e. the time between

5-yrs mortality rates are a questionable statistic, especially when comparing death rates in time. Critics would argue that the lead time (i.e. the time between diagnosis and clinical symptoms) has changed in time due to earlier diagnosis but the effective time of death has not. It's a long winded debate. Breast cancer mostly affects women 45+ -- or younger women with a genetic disposition.

dx034 9y ago
But otherwise you'd get a lot of age related deaths? If you use a 15 year window, many people with cancer treatment at the age of 70 won't survive the 15 year period. That makes cancers 'deadlier' where they affect older people. A 5 year horizon is probably more suitable to reduce unrelated deaths.