Breast cancer deaths have dropped dramatically in the past two decades.  The result of better treatment, greater awareness and more women getting mammograms.

The latest government statistics show deaths declined 34 percent between 1990 and 2011.  Megan Schanie is among the growing ranks of survivors.  After her 2006 diagnosis, she feared she might not live to see her two children grow up.

But on Sunday, she celebrated her youngest daughter's 10th birthday.  Megan said "even in my own little world, I've noticed that we have so many in our group who are surviving."

Mammogram screenings are the third most important reason for the decline in deaths. Cancer society statistics show mammography rates have leveled off in recent years, dropping slightly from 70 percent in 2000.

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