In a new study, it reveals that more than one fifth women were given too much responsibility for treatment-related decisions at early-stage breast cancer causing delayed treatment and increasing mortality rates among women with breast cancer," says Electra D. Paskett. Researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center examined the cases of 1,786 women enrolled in North Carolina Medicaid system who were diagnosed with breast cancer from January 1, 2000. Results show women who wait more than 60 days to begin treatment for advanced breast cancer face significantly higher risks of dying than women who start therapy shortly after diagnosis. In recent years, Breast cancer detection has improved, but more work remains to ensure accurate diagnosis, and to assess future risk. Researchers are developing a test of gene action that predicts cancer risk at first diagnosis, and into the future.