Breast Cancer Prognosis

Question: Breast cancer prognosis? My friend called me last night and told me his mom has breast cancer. All he knew is that the doctor said it's a "fast-growing" tumor and she'll need surgery. This doesn't sound good, does it?

Answer: It sounds even worse when they say it to you. No cancer is good, but fast growing doesn't have to necessarily be worse. Worse vs better is discovering it late versus early. Surgery is the most common treatment choice. If they suggest chemo, then that would be an indication that the cancer had progressed a bit more. Radiation is pretty common particularly if less invasive surgery (like a lumpectomy) is performed rather than mastectomy.

Question: Prognosis for stage 1 breast cancer? I'm curious re: Stage 1 breast cancer,tx & prognosis. Thanks

Answer: Matt doesn't know what he is talking about. Some cancers can spread through the blood and lymphatic system but chemo does not cause cancer to spread. If a patient on chemo dies, it isn't because the chemo caused the cancer to spread it was because the cancer was stronger than the chemo. To answer your question, Kelsey is correct. I know from personal experience as I am a stage II breast cancer survivor and my sister is a stage 1 breast cancer survivor.

Question: Breast cancer stage 2 prognosis? My mum (59 years of age, no prior health complaints, never smoked, drinks lightly, eats very healthily and has no history of cancer in her family) has just been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. She's been told she needs a lumpectomy followed by 5 weeks of chemotherapy, that there's no chance of a masectomy and it's "eminantely curable" in the doctor's words. While I know it's difficult to say the least to give a prognosis over the web like this, given the facts outlined, my question is threeofold: 1) Is it likely to shorten her life at all? 2) Is it likely to recur? 3) Is it likely to massively change her quality of life in the every day practical sense, the implications of chemo and the like excluded? Particularly appreciate honest opinions from survivors and those in the medical profession. Thanks for taking the time, really appreciate it. Thanks very much for all the answers, especially from survivors, realize it can't be easy to even talk about. She's going for a PET scan on Thursday and is petrified it'll show up elsewhere. From what my dad has told me, the biopsy shows surrounding tissues are unaffected, it's a 3cm lump and that's all. Is that a pretty solid indication it's not metasticized? Also, once she's had the op and chemo and, assuming she's told she's all clear, does that mean it's virtually certain it can't metasticize? I mean cancer can't metasticize if the origin point is cleared right? Thanks a million again!

Answer: It sounds as if she has a good prognosis and her doctors are optimistic. Unfortunately breast cancer can recur at any time, even years later, and it isn't possible to say whose will recur and whose won't. Her life will only be shortened by breast cancer if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body at some time in the future; while there's no guarantees, the small amount of information you have given indicates that she has a good prognosis. Her survival statistics - which are only a best guess, not a guarantee - depend on factors such as the grade of her cancer as well as the stage and how many lymph nodes are affected . Apart from during treatment, it needn't massively change her quality of life; if she has lymph nodes removed, she will need to be careful with her arm on the affected side as heavy lifting or injury, however slight, can cause lymphoedema. There is the fear of recurrence, but as the years pass this fear takes more of a back seat. Life isn't ever quite the same after cancer, but it does go on; it's a slightly different kind of normality. I had stage 3 grade 3 breast cancer, with 13 lymph nodes affected; four and a half years after diagnosis I am fit and well with no sign of cancer at my last routine check up. I recommend these websites to your mum; not only do they have lots of information, but they have forums where she - and you - can talk to people who are and have been in the same situation. I don't know how I would have got through breast cancer without internet support forums http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk http://www.breastcancer.org My best wishes to you both

Question: Writing a thesis statement on breast cancer? The assignment is to write a 3-5 page research paper. I chose to do breast cancer as my topic. My paper must include and introduction with a thesis statement at the end. I've never been one to write a powerful thesis statement, or really one at all...so your help would be greatly appreciated. By the way, if this helps with anything, my paper must cover the history, symptoms, causes, prognosis, and support groups for breast cancer. If you could give me some advice or even write a thesis statement for me [again, I'm a great writer but research papers are just not my forte] Thanks in advance.

Answer: The thesis statement could be this: "Breast cancer is a multi-dynamic disease". The reason why is because "Breast cancer affects the breast cancer patient, family, friends, and society in various ways" A patient is diagnosed with Breast Cancer and goes through breast cancer treatment. Patient relies on family and friends for support in various ways. Family and friends get involved by supporting the patient in various ways that are needed. Society get involved in various ways by marketing of Pink Ribbon products, raising funds for breast cancer research and breast cancer treatment, getting involved in various Breast Cancer awareness events like races and etc.

Question: is breast cancer always fatal?? what is the prognosis? please help me get this thanks! :)

Answer: No it isn't. The survival rates are high and are improving. There are no promises and there is no guaranteed cure. But there are many women like me - I was diagnosed with advanced and aggressive breast cancer and fit and well 5 years later, with no sign of cancer at my last check-up.

Question: How do you help your family with dealing with your cancer? I have a 15 year old who has little contact with her father I know that she's going to be especially afraid of something happening to me. Even though they are pretty sure it's 1st stage breast cancer and the prognosis is good how do I help her deal with her fear? I also have to deal with what I'm going through are there support groups for the families or children of cancer patients?

Answer: There are support groups for families and children of cancer patients. You should start with your oncologist and ask for a medical social worker. Usually the social workers known all the local support groups or may even be involved with them. That is the first place to start. There are also online groups that can be of assistance. However, you may be surprised by your daughter . .she may be stronger than you imagine. To begin with the best way to deal with her fear is to tell her the truth . . always. The imagination is far worse . . . tell her exactly what is happening. If you go to the doctor, tell her why. Tell her if you are having treatment. Explain the treatment. Include your daughter as much as she wants to be included. Obviously if she does not want to be involved or hear this . . than back away a bit. But always make sure she hears the truth from you. There is no substitute for honesty . . share the good news and the bad. Your daughter will feel included and not left out. She will appreciate your honesty and learn about courage and strength from you. To help guide you through any of this, you can use the following online resources: Cancer Care - free online counseling for cancer patients and families http://www.cancercare.org/ Cancer Care - Talking to kids about cancer http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/special_progs/cc_for_kids.php ACS: Be Honest with children about breast cancer http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Be_Honest_with_Children_About_Breast_Cancer.asp Kids Konnected http://www.kidskonnected.org/ NCI: When your parent has cancer - a guide for teens http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/When-Your-Parent-Has-Cancer-Guide-for-Teens/page2 Cancer Connection - Teens with Mom who has cancer http://www.gillettecancerconnect.org/women/family_friends/for_kids.asp My Parent's Cancer http://www.myparentscancer.com.au/home.html Straight Talk: How to Talk to your Kids about Cancer http://www.med.nyu.edu/nyuci/patientcare/support_services/straight_talk/ Rip Rap - When a parent has cancer http://www.riprap.org.uk/index.html Teen Central http://www.teencentral.net/ Hope that helps get you started. Best of luck.

Question: 29 and pg with advanced breast cancer what to expect? My sister is 29 years old and currently 7 months pregnant. She was diagnosed with at least Stage IIIC breast cancer two months ago. She had a unilateral mastectomy, a 5 cm tumor with 12 lymph nodes involved. Estrogen and progest. + Because of the pregnancy, they have been unable to scan her to find out if the cancer has spread and where it may have spread to. They feel the chances it has spread are "significant". They are planning on taking the baby at 32 weeks so they can scan her and begin treatment for any additional cancer. My sister doesn't want to know what the outlook is and the oncologist has cooperated with that. I'm more the type that likes to be prepared. She has authorized her oncologist to speak with me but I find I'm frustrated by the lack of clear information from her. When I ask about prognosis she just says "lets focus on beating this thing." Can anyone give me an idea of what we might expect from here on out including prognosis for stage 3C/4? To be clear, I'd never dream of going against her wishes about what she wants to know. She is counting on us, her family to manage the available information so that she can focus on the positive and beating this. We are just trying to be prepared for any upcoming eventualities...we really don't know what could happen at this point. She has a 1 year old and a 5 year old child also and with the new baby, if she will need extended treatment where she cannot be around children etc... this is the type of things we are looking to know. Also want prognosis based on different treatment options to make the best educated choice for treatment. Right now the oncologist is making all the decisions on her behalf. Thank you for the cancer monthly link. That looks extremely helpful. Stage 3C used to just be lumped under Stage IV but for some reason they have started separating them out in the last year or two.

Answer: Here is a chart...I don't see a 3C only 3B...what is the 4 about? http://www.cancermonthly.com/cancer_basics/breast.asp If she does chemo..she can get a prescription for a "hair prosthesis" (wig) so it can be covered by insurance. It is good to take the anti-nausea pills BEFORE nausea arrives..once you are nauseous, you don't even want to look at a pill. Immodium is good to have on hand for diarrhea associated with chemo (check with the doc first). Cold bland high protein foods are good while on chemo, such as cold hard boiled eggs and Arby's or Rax plain roast beef sandwiches. Prayer can't hurt and a positive outlook is helpful. Family support is enormously helpful, as are cancer support groups where you can talk to others who are going thru or have been thru similar circumstances. There is a newswoman here in my city that had breast cancer 5 yrs ago and has small children and is in her 30s...now it is in her bones, but she still does the newscast and is hopeful that she can treat it and keep it under control until a more permanent solution comes along.

Question: p53 and p27 links to cancer frequency? I am a little confused as to "how" p53 and p27 link to cancer frequency. I know that p53 has the role of blocking the cell cycle in DNA is damaged in order to prevent cell death. I also know that when it's mutated it can lead to a high frequency of cancer, but I don't understand how this is so. Logically I can not really figure it out... if it's mutated, does it act oppositely and let cells die? That doesn't really seem like it would create any tumors... Then with p27, I know that it binds to cyclin and cdk to block entry into the S phase.. and I know that it its is predicted that breast cancer prognosis is determined by its levels... but again, I'm not sure HOW it links to the cancer frequency... Can anyone explain this to me? I have a final coming up, and I'm a little slow with the topic of cell cycles and its phases and whatnot.. Any help will be appreciated! Much thanks!

Answer: Many cancers are associated with a mutation in the p53 gene or with the inability of p53 to express itself even if the gene is intact. Apoptosis, programmed cell death, requires a working p53 gene. Apoptosis can be induced in defective cells through p53 activation.

Question: Breast cancer patients/survivors - please help with some advice...? We just found out that a close family member has breast cancer - not sure what stage or prognosis yet because she has only had a biopsy and is going through more studies (CAT scan etc. to see if there are any more suspicious spots). My problem is that I don't know what to say to her - I have been a nurse for a long time and tend to focus totally on the clinical aspect of illness - especially since I've worked in the operating room for so long. I see patients for a few hours while they are asleep, take the best care I can of them, and then rarely see them again. I don't want to seem callous to her and focus solely on her surgeries (which is obviously my comfort zone) - I'm afraid I'll say something stupid or not say the right thing and just come across as uncaring - when, in fact, I do care a great deal and want to help any way I can. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

Answer: Forget about your worries. Try to have a positive attitude and keep it in mind that you don't "have to have all the answers". Just hold her hand and BE with her. Talk about the little things, they are what matters at the end of the day. Help her where you can and make sure there is a large group of people around helping out. The person with her must stay at %100 and this is hard to maintain day in and day out. Remember to think about her, not just her disease. Take 5 minutes and consider the worst case scenario. This will do two thing for you, one : allow you to face your fears Two: now that you have taken the time to consider it you can move on without having to do it again. In a nutshell: Talk and Hope for the best. Plan for what might happen Live in the moment with her. Everything else will sort itself out as it needs to. One last bit of advise, every day before you go to bed. look back on the day and find something good about it. This got me through quite a bit. Good luck!

Question: breast cancer screening? my mother has a yearly mammogram and mri and a half yearly clinical breast exam. plus she checks herself almost everyday. if she develops breast cancer will these screening methods help find it before it spreads? she is postmenopausal and i heard that breast cancers postmenopausal are slow growing. do you think her prognosis would be good?

Answer: She has excellent an excelent prognosis with this screening program.

Question: Breast cancer: can anyone give me any real-life experiences? Last month my mom, who'll be 60 in January, was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. The 1cm tumor was too deep to be felt from the outside and was detected on her yearly mammogram. It was removed and biopsied, and she went back for a second surgery to have the margins of tissue that surrounded the tumor removed. At that time, they tested her lymph nodes and determined them to be clear and free of cancer cells, and so far her prognosis looks good. The oncologist ordered additional testing on the tumor to determine the aggressiveness of the cancer, although it is suspected that the disease is what it has appeared to be all along: the most common form of breast cancer, caught extremely early. Anyway, we know for a fact that she'll be having 6 weeks of radiation therapy. She will be given the option for chemotherapy if it is determined her tumor is a more serious form of cancer than originally thought. Can anyone give me your experiences with this disease: any information about what radiation therapy and other treatments are like, and generally what to expect over the next few months? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Thank you. All the doctors so far have said that chemo will probably not be necessary. We are hoping for the best, and extremely thankful that mom didn't decide to skip her yearly checkup!!! Thanks for your prayers.

Answer: It sounds like your mom caught the cancer early and that is the key to survival. My wife was diagnosed with cancer in her breast that was 4.78 cm and it had traveled to her lymph nodes. She went through 15 weeks of chemotherapy, and had to be injected daily with a drug that kept her white blood count high. Chemo is not fun; however it works. After 15 weeks she rested 3 weeks and then had a mastectomy. After the surgery when she was first rolled into the hosipital room she said she had not felt so good for the past 2 weeks. (fear of the surgery, and it was not too bad) For the week after surgery I had to clear her drain, that involved taking daily counts of the liquid from the lymph nodes. The lab back from the surgery showed that the cancer found in her breast was 5mm. (size of a small grain of rice) so it worked well. In her lymph nodes cancer was found in one of 14 nodes removed about the size of a large grain of rice. The effects of chemo were: 1. fatigue 2. Mouth sores 3. Brittle nails 4. Constipation. 5. watery eyes 6. Hair loss With the above findings we will begin 12 weeks of Taxol, (not as bad on system) that hopefully will kill all the cancer cells that may still be in her body. Followed by 6 weeks of daily radiation. You are sooo lucky that mom found the cancer early. The margins sounded great! What a wonderful Christmas gift! Believe me...it could've been much, much, worse. Today, I saw a friend that I have not seen for several years. She was just married and I found out her husband has colon cancer (stage 4). She just had a new baby, and her husband says he just lives each day for his child and wife. He has a great attitude and I believe he will do well, but I thought to myself, how lucky my wife and I were. You don't realize it until you hear a worse story than yours. God bless. Dave

Question: Metastic Breast Cancer Diagnosis? Hi, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 weeks ago. She had a biopsy and the tumor was found to be estrogen receptive. Her Bone Scan showed that the cancer had spread to her 7th rib and the CT Scan showed a small lesion in her lung, lymph nodes under armpit and lymph nodes in chest. The oncologist said that cancer is controllable but not curable. She has to stay on hormone therapy for the rest of her life and cannot receive surgery as the oncologist said the wound wouldnt be able to heal as their is cancer cells in the chest. She also wont be receiving chemotherapy as the oncologist said the hormone therapy is as just as good. Surely if the hormone therapy is stopping the cancer cells from surviving then surgery is an option? And is radiation not also an option for the other sites of cancer? What do you think of the prognosis? Does it look like a bad outcome? Please dont spare details to not hurt my feelings. I can take it! Thank you xx

Answer: This therapy potentially makes complete sense. If I may restate her case, your mom is suffering with metastatic, estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, which is present in her bone and lymph nodes, ? small lesion in lung. In patients who are ER+, we go to great lengths to maximize benefit from hormonal therapies, because in fact they do work just as well (or better) than chemotherapy many times, and are so much easier to take/tolerate. Patients would generally receive chemo if they have organ-threatening disease (extensive lung or liver involvement for example) or other occasions where a more rapid response from chemo is desired. I am not sure what specific surgery you are inquiring about, but since her disease has metastasized, surgery is not going to cure her; we normally rely on the medicine therapy to control disease. Radiation could be used to painful bone sites if needed. The hormone therapy will potentially treat all of her disease. She may well need chemotherapy at some point, but it looks like your doc doesn't think so now. Getting a second opinion is always reasonable, though, but also just sitting down and talking over your concerns with the current oncologist may be sufficient. Prognosis-wise, survival can be several years even with widely metastatic disease, sometime longer. God bless, best wishes

Question: Triple negative breast cancer? My mum had stage IV metastatic ER+PR- breast cancer. The doctors are now saying that it has changed to triple negative breast cancer. They said that because of the hormone medication for the ER+PR- which stops the cancer from 'feeding' on the oestrogen, the cancer changed itself into triple negative. I have looked at quite a few websites on triple negative and I know that it is far more aggressive than ER+PR- but less aggressive than HER2. We found out earlier this year that the cancer had spread to Mum's lungs, spine and brain. She finished chemo a month or so ago and now only has 1 lump, which has shrunk, on her lung, but the cancer in her spine has spread to 3 vertebrae rather than just 1. The doc said chemo takes longer to get to the bones and that it will catch up and she is also on chemo pills specifically for the bones. She had radiation to her brain which the doc said 'will get it' but doesn't have her MRI till Nov so we are yet to know if that worked or not. The brain tumours are extremely small and cause her no problems at all. While there are 10+ they were found by sheer luck and the doc said it is rare to find brain tumours so early. Now I know the prognosis is not that great for triple negative cancer. I know it doesnt respond to hormone therapy and only to chemo. I read that it responds better to chemo than the other cancers. The doc has mentioned something about third generation platinum chemo that they can try if the chemo pills don't work but Mum says this is extremely bad as it messes with your DNA. She said she will do it if she has to of course. Does anyone know anything about it? Do you think there is any chance that Mum's cancer could be halted and she could live for years to come? Or is triple negative a death sentence? Will I be saying goodbye to my beautiful wonderful mum within the next year? Or is triple negative not so bad? Things I read on the net said the prognosis for triple negative was 13 months on average and only 3 once diagnosed with brain tumours. Mum has had her tumours for longer than that and the cancer doesn't affect her. Sorry this question is all over the place, I just kept thinking of things so put them in. Thanks so much for helping

Answer: I understand how you are "all over the place". In situations where someone you love is threatened, your mind is full of questions that breed questions. There is a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, whose website I've sourced, that might be able to help you find some sources for the answers you seek, especially as far as clinical trials. Unfortunately, no one can say whether your mum will live for years to come, but that's true even if cancer isn't present. It sounds as though your mum is a determined fighter and she certainly seems to have a loving daughter in her corner. Best luck and God Bless you both.

Question: 5 cm breast cancer tumor? Is this large for breast cancer it is confind to the breast and has not spread. doing 3 rounds of chemo. What is the prognosis???

Answer: This is a large tumor. Approximately 70% of patients with tumors this size are expected to have lymph node involvement. Cure rates are still in your favor, but there is a real risk here of relapse and death due to metastatic disease. It sounds like you are on right course. Blessings

Question: Ductal Carcinoma (Breast Cancer)? My Sister was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in November. It started off as a little lump in her left breast. She has gone through lots of Chemo and alternative drugs. She lost her left breast now and most of the pectoral muscle and roughly 23 lymph nodes as all were invaded. She is now being told that there are spots on her spine and in her other breast and some of those lymph nodes. There may be a spot or two as well on her liver. She does not want to know the prognosis as she doesn't want to think about it. She has a 4 yr old son and a 1 yr old daughter. I want to know the pronosis though. I want to be prepared so I can be strong for when my parents need me the most. Any information out there I would appreciate it. I have researched so much. By the way I am also doing the Making Strides 5 mile Breast Cancer walk in Philly in October, if anyone would like to make a small donation to that please let me know and I will send you the link. Take care and thank you.

Answer: There was abook published in 1994 called: STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT BREAST CANCER by Suzanne Braddock , et al = ISBN 1886039216. It gives every woman and family basic info. What maybe you need is her permission to speak with her doctor and get her info directly.

Question: Stage IV Breast Cancer? My mom has Stage IV Breast Cancer. She has Stage I Breast Cancer 4 years ago but she just recently found out that it has metastasized to her spine and that she has a tumor between the 6th and the 7th vertebrae. I know her prognosis is grim. She is also an alcoholic and goes through periods of binging and then stays sober for a couple of months. This has been a rough year for her(for all of us) as two of my sisters passed away this past year and in the middle of September, my mom lost her job(which she loved) due to her drinking. Two days later, she got her Stage IV diagnosis. Two weeks ago, she started drinking. Heavily. This past Monday, she was suicidal and I had to make a choice and have her signed in against her will into the hospital. Her blood alcohol level at the time was .62. Other tests showed that she has possible liver involvement as well and she has been coughing up blood so its probable lung related too. The Dr. could only hold her for 24 hours until she was assessed by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist let her go!!! She promtply went back to drinking. I am not sure what to do here. She is refusing any meds but is in incredible pain. I am worried that I am going to find her dead in her apartment. Plus, she has opted not to share her diagnosis with either of my remaining siblings and that bothers me. Any insight? Any ideas on what I can do here? It's a hard place for me to be. I dread finding her dead and she knows that. I was with one of my sisters when she passed and I don't feel able to do that again. Plus, I feel like she is depriving my siblings of the right to say goodbye to her and they will be so angry at me for not telling them.I know it's her right not to tell them.What to do?

Answer: I am so sorry to hear about your Mom's situation. That is heart breaking.But your siblings have every right to know and yes they will resent not only your Mom but you also if you keep it from them. I know you want to keep your word to your Mom so maybe you should tell your mom that she needs to tell them and if not you will and you will only be doing that out of love for your siblings. Tell her that by her telling you not to say anything feels the same as lying and it's bothering your conscience. Also tell her the last thing you want to do to them is have them feel ill feelings towards her after she is gone. Not to mention how they'll feel towards you. I hope everything goes as well as can be for you and your family. Things are always better between family members when we are open and honest with them. Good luck!