Early detection has likely helped breast cancer mortality rates

A study of 185 countries reveals Kiwi deaths from the disease are reducing by 2.1-percent each year.

However, diagnoses have risen to one in every 1000 females.

Auckland University Senior Research Fellow Doctor Annette Lasham says when it's found fast, women can get the treatment they need, when they need it.

She says survival rates are at 95 to 99 percent for five to ten years after diagnoses, when detected early.