Report: Improvement needed in early tests for breast cancer in SD

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PIERRE — The state Health Department reported Friday that 70 percent of breast cancer cases were diagnosed early in South Dakota from 2001 through 2008.

But the study also identified 10 counties where early diagnoses were significantly less frequent, including Hughes, home to the state’s capital, and neighbors Stanley and Hyde.

Others in that group of the 10 lowest were Campbell, Clark, Butte, Custer, Corson, Mellette and Brule.

Two dozen other counties were below 70 percent but above 63 percent for early diagnosis, including most of South Dakota’s population centers.

The report suggests additional screening and outreach work could improve early identification in those areas. The study looked at 4,982 cases. Data came from the South Dakota Cancer Registry.

The annual Women’s Cancer Network symposium scheduled for Oct. 3 in Pierre includes a noon panel discussion on treatment for early stage breast cancer.

The presentation is open to the public and will feature Dr. Mary Milroy of Yankton, Dr. Kathleen Schneekloth of Sioux Falls and Dr. Matthew Christenson of Pierre.

The new report found the lowest-rated county for early diagnoses was Hyde at 38 percent.

Counties with few cases frequently had the best ratings, including Harding and Buffalo at 100 percent.

Among the most-populous counties, the results were: Minnehaha, 72 percent; Lincoln, 67; Yankton, 74; Davison, 66; Codington, 69; Hughes, 53; Brown, 68; Pennington, 71; and Lawrence, 67.

Tags: breast cancer, news, health, cancer, state