Breast Cancer Survival

Question: How to celebrate Mom's 25th anniversary of breast cancer survival? The day of her surgery back in 1982 also happened to be her birthday! I would like to do something special for her, but since this is such an unusual occasion, I would appreciate some advice on how we could "celebrate" it! Thank you for your input. To clarify my question, "celebrate" is defined in terms of a "party", if you will. Donations are nice, but do not answer my question. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

Answer: Congrats to your mom!!!! That is absolutely WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!! Make it every thing pink...pink ribbons, pink balloons, pink cake, pink punch....everything! It isn't that it is an unusual occasion, it is a wonderful occasion to celebrate. Take full advantage of it!!!

Question: What is breast cancer survival % rate for follow-up drug(s) vs Arimidex vs no followup drugs? I have just completed over a year's chemo,surgery,radiation,& chemo again with clean results for treatment for estrogen receptive breast cancer. No mascectomy,but removed 1/2 breast with lumpectomy, leaving a 7 in. scar across chest. I am 64 yrs old and never been sick or operated on before. I cannot find anywhere where it tells me what the % rate of survival is for Armidex for five years vs NO followup drugs survival rate for five years. Tests seemed to all have been done with comparisons of Arimidex and Tamoxifen, but what is the percentage of survival from using these drugs vs not using them. I do want my best survival rate, but am amazed that I can't get this question answered. My oncologist keeps changing the subject and then I forget and can't get a hold of her for another week or so (Kaiser). Thank you

Answer: One reason that your oncologist is dancing around this subject is because there is no study that directly compares patients who undergo aromatase inhibitor therapy (such as with Arimidex) to patients who get no therapy at all. This is because medical research has already shown Tamoxifen is better than no treatment at all, so to test whether Arimidex is useful, comparison needs to be made to the standard of care, which is Tamoxifen. It would be unethical to randomize patients to no treatment when we know Tamoxifen is clearly better. So to answer your question, we will have to do it indirectly: We know that patients who receive Tamoxifen therapy, when compared to those who receive no other treatment, have about a 10% improvement in overall survival (e.g. in early breast cancer, 68% vs 57%). When Arimidex is compared to Tamoxifen, the improvement is by another 3-5%. So overall, we can extrapolate that use of Arimidex vs no therapy, is probably by about 13-15%. Keep in mind that the numbers can differ depending on the exact stage of cancer you have, and really, there is no hard data to directly answer what you are asking.

Question: Breast cancer survival rates??? my mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I searched thee net for the survival stuff and it says something about a 5-year or 10-year survival rate. does this mean my mom is going to live for 5 or 10 years only? or does this apply for untreated cancer? will my mother live longer if she undergoes proper treatment? please help me i'm very confused and worried...btw, she's 51 years old

Answer: First thing stop reading that stuff...it only puts worry and fear in you..trust me..when I had cancer the book I read said I had a 25% chance of living when I had bone cancer.. The real cure is motivation and a good outlook on life. I help thousands of cancer patient with my unique motivational news letter... don't miss out..it's free http://www.thecancersmile.com/home.html Remember keep smiling...:)

Question: What are the chances of a breast cancer recurrence? and survival rate? a close person i know has Invasive ductal carcinoma in situ with minimal/ inconclusive shes her2+ tumor is 1.5 cm. She's getting a second opinion from somwhere before she begins lumptectomy and radiation followed by chemotherapy. I would like to know how long can she live upto and the chances of a recurrence.

Answer: There are lots of statistics out there, but I hate to try and go by that because everyone is different. There are so many factors that go into each case. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma last year. On the mammogram it appeared to be 1.5 cm, but by the time I had the tumor removed it was 2.5 cm. I am also her2+ and Er/Pr+. I chose to have a mastectomy, and I had node involvement so I also had chemotherapy and radiation. Because I was Her2/neu+ I had a year of Herceptin treatments. My last treatment is in two weeks. Herceptin was approved not that long ago to use in treatment for eary stage Her/2neu+ breast cancer. I would assume your friend will be having that part of her treatments. There are many treatments available to us and there are many many survivors. I'm glad to hear she's getting a second opinion, I think that's so important. I wish your friend the best.

Question: Cons, do you fear that breast cancer rates will rise if we adopt a similar health care system like Switzerland? Breat cancer rates are often used by private insurance defenders that our health care is better than socialized health care in other countries, like france, canada, switzerland etc So does that mean that if we implement the public option or even UHC our breast cancer survival rates will drop? If you believe so, can you explain how?

Answer: I think it is the rationing of medicine to treat advanced and used in after surgery they are quoting. The other countries have no other option but to ration certain medicines and refuse to offer others due to their costs and due to their socialized medicine has to be held in "financial check". While I do not think anyone uses this as their main objection to socialized health care, it is a reality that will have to be dealt with. The guy above mentioned the incentives for future development so I will skip that part.

Question: Breast cancer and survival at young age? I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago today at the age of 31....it was a nast diagnosis with 7 positive lymph nodes which led to mastectomy, chemo, rads and 2 years of Herceptin in a trial . So far I am ok,although as I only finished Herceptin in June I do still feel a little creaky and tired.....the weight gain from the hormonals has been awful and I hate feeling so fat but I suppose its better to be alive than a skinny dead! Anyway just wanted to know how to cope with the fear cancer brings, I have an eight year old I want to raise to adulthood and I lay awake at night just crying and crying.....doesi t ever get better? and how many women really survive this and live to a ripe old age? Any suggestions on diet and supplements too would be great....I do log on to various cancer websites and they help but sometimes I feel I should have "moved on" by now!

Answer: I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer just over 2 years. I did partial mastectomy, chemo and radiation. My cancer was not estrogen or progestrin receptive so Herceptin wouldn't do anything for mine. I too worry everytime a feel a little twinge or soreness in that breast. Has your doctor recommended hysterectomy and having your ovaries removed? Because many breast cancers feed on estrogen this could be a good move. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer 13 years ago, she also had young children at home and she is doing just fine now. I have found that the best thing to do is to keep positive, and get out and support others who are going through or have gone through similar situations, which also helped me tremendously with getting back on my feet,. I have to remember that I am not the only one who had/has cancer.

Question: What are her chances of breast cancer survival in this scenario? She was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 months ago. She is 30yrs with 2 children. She had an operation (lumpectomy) one month ago where three lumps were removed. These lumps were analysed. Two were found to be of one kind of cancer and the third was found to be a different cancer, and because of this lump she now has chemotherapy. Does this sound right? This is all the info i have, other than my friend telling me she is "really ill". She isnt in hospital, but at home. Apparently she has to go in to hospital next week for more tests and keeps getting nose bleeds. If she survives, how long will this sickness carry on for? (as in when will she return to work and live a normal life?)

Answer: generally if they are able to operate it's a good thing. it means it's hopefully containable. i recently lost my grandfather to cancer and it was due to the fact that it was inoperable. the fact that she's still at home and getting treatment regularly at two months can only help as well. i hope it turns out ok for you, friend

Question: what are the breast cancer survival rates?

Answer: When doctors talk of survival rates, they are talking about five or ten year survival rates. A recent research figure is 72% of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer will live for at least 10 years after their diagnosis. Figures include all women who have had breast cancer and are still alive after that period, including those whose cancer has returned and those who are terminally ill. Survival rates vary according to stage, grade etc. Around 90% of women diagnosed with stage I breast cancer survives beyond five years. This drops to around 10% diagnosed with stage 4

Question: what is the survival rate of women with breast cancer in philippines? My friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is 27 years old. What are her chances of full recovery?

Answer: Alarming to note that in 2004, the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia second to India. Most breast cancer cases in the Philippines present at advanced stages and have a rapid unfavorable outcome. However all cancer patients do not have a death sentence, there is always hope. With her being so young, her system is strong and that will work in her favor. The most important right now is her treatment. I found these links that may be of some help. http://www.pbcn.org/ http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/2ndphilconon.html http://www.filipinolinks.com/Health_and_Medicine/index.html

Question: The overall five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 98%. What this means ? The overall five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 98%. What this means ? This means people reach 5 years and MORE in 98 % of cases..Is there no upper limit ? can they live more than 5 years? like 6-7-15 years? Thank you!

Answer: It means that of the people who received the diagnosis "localized breast cancer" and survived, 98% of them survived for five years after having the cancer cured/put into remission. Some will live longer than that, yes.

Question: People with breast cancer has better odds of survival now than before what changed since then? I was talking to a man who's mother in law passed away from breast cancer twenty five years ago. He did not remember what stage it was in. I then told him my wife survived breast cancer and her treatments ended a few months ago. He then said breast cancer diagnosis today is a lot better now then it was in the past. How long past and what changes were made to make the statement true?

Answer: When my grandmother had breast cancer, I was only a kid. I'm 63 now. Back then, there was no chemo. They didn't even perform surgery on her. The first thing they gave her believe it or not, was an antibiotic. Breast cancer has been around since man walked the earth I'm sure. A lot of new treatments are coming up all the time. In a few years, who knows, chemo may be old and they will have newer, better treatments. It also depends now on how soon it's discovered. Early detection today is the best hope, Early detection for my grandmother wasn't even a matter of concern. When they said she had breast cancer, my mother was told that her mother would not survive. She didn't either. They just didn't have the technology that they have today. It's that simple. I'm glad I live in this day and age. I'm also glad my grandchildren will live in the age when even better techniques will be discovered. Hope that helps. God bless

Question: What are the chances for survival of a 16 year old (female) with breast cancer? Is it even possible for a 16 year old to have breast cancer and if it is what are the survival rates?

Answer: Cancer in younger women tends to be far more aggressive of a cancer than in older women. Breast cancer in younger women tends to be estrogen and progesterone negative which means that there are less treatment options, such as being able to take Tamoxifen. It also can mean that the cancer is growing at a faster rate and spreading quicker than it would with a less aggressive form of breast cancer. With that being said, I would think 16 year old patients with breast cancer probably have a higher rate of death from breast cancer than an older generation of breast cancer patients. This isn't to say that a young cancer patient would definitely have an aggressive form of breast cancer but it is more common than not. I got lucky, as a young breast cancer survivor to not have an aggressive form.

Question: What are the survival rate of Breast Cancer? I really want to know because my friend's mom has it and even though she doesn't know that I know I really don't want her to get sad. Her mom does Zumba a lot so I'm not sure if that helps. But losing your mom is sad for sure. So I just want to know how much chance she has and if there are any possibilities or cures. Plus her mom did Kemo...

Answer: Not only does it depend on the stage of cancer when caught, it also depends on the particular "personality"/chemistry of the cancerous tumor. Most breast cancers are slow growing and very treatable (and even "curable") if caught early enough. Chances are fairly good that if your friend's mom did chemo, she will live longer than she otherwise would have lived. And, if the cancer was caught early enough, she is likely to not have any return of cancer in the next 10 years or so. But you are so right that losing a mom is very sad, no matter the circumstances. Here's hoping your friend's mom has many years ahead of her and that those years are brimming with good health and joy. P.S. What a wonderful friend you are to the girl whose mother has breast cancer.

Question: My girl friend has breast cancer what are her chances of survival? She was diagnosed early and had her breast removed. There was some spread to her lymph nodes under her arm, but further surgery of more nodes revealed no spread. The cancer stage was early, but the actual level of cancer was the highests and most aggressive. She is now about to finish her chemo after six sessions. Will she be fine? What is the best and worst case scenario? She is fearing the worst, is this bad for her?

Answer: As a survivor, I can only say that worst case scenario in her head is good. Cos any thing over and above that is a bonus. I walked around like that til my treatment was over. Now I have a different take - - - I am only going to live this life once. Now i grab it by the spherical objects and enjoy. Try not to think about what might not be and enjoy what you have whilst you have it - - don't waste it, or the energy worrying about losing it. You could be losing valuable "being and doing" time. Hugs for you both.

Question: What are the 5-year survival rates for imflammatory breast cancer? An answer like 10-60% is too vague and unacceptible? Please include the year, if possible.

Answer: "Historically, inflammatory breast cancer was treated by surgery and was associated with a 100 percent mortality rate. However, significant progress has been made in recent years using a combination of treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. The combined-treatment approach has vastly improved the prognosis for a woman with inflammatory breast cancer. What was once universally fatal is now a disease that results in half of women diagnosed being alive in five years and one-third of women diagnosed surviving 10 or more years." (Feb 2006) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inflammatory-breast-cancer/DS00632/DSECTION=6 "Past statistics have shown the average survival rate of inflammatory breast cancer to be approximately 18 months. However, recent studies have shown that advancements in treatment may help to extend the survival time for women with inflammatory breast cancer. Using chemotherapy, surgery (mastectomy), and radiation, the average five-year survival rate is currently 40%." (July 2006) http://imaginis.com/breasthealth/inflammatory2.asp

Question: what is the survival rate for stage 2 a breast cancer? My mom is going to possible undergo a mastectomy with no radiation therapy. Does anyone know her survival rate, she is 68.

Answer: I had a mastectomy last year for stage 2B breast cancer with positive nodes. I was 41 when diagnosed. I really don't know the survival rates. I hate to even go by that because everyone is different and there are so many factors. I know a positive attitude is really important. And remember there are many treatments available to us today and many many survivors. My very best to your mom.