The study examines the relative contributions of incidence, treatment and survival to the elevated mortality from breast cancer in older women in the northeast region of the U.S. Algorithms to determine incident breast cancer, treatment, stage and date of diagnosis are being evaluated and refined using the SEER-Medicare linked data base. Applying these algorithms to the Medicare data in 1991, we will identify a cohort of all women aged 70 years and older newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Incidence rates for 1991 as well as one, three and five year survival for these women will then be calculated for each state and region over the 1991-1996 interval.

This atlas illustrates the latest available data on the cancer epidemic, showing causes, stages of development, and prevalence rates of different types of cancers by gender, income group, and region. It also examines the cost of the disease, both in terms of health care and commercial interests, and the steps being taken to curb the epidemic, from research and screening to cancer management programs and health education.