Breast Cancer Survival Rate
The survival rate of breast cancer patients can be predicted. The basis used by doctors and medical experts is the determined stage of the breast cancer. The different stages of breast cancer have different survival rates. The percentages differ based on individual medical conditions and other factors.
The American Cancer Society has predicted the following breast cancer survival rates based on the different stages of breast cancer. Stage 0 of course has a 100 percent survival rate. Stage I breast cancer has a 98 percent survival rate. At Stage IIA the survival rate drops to 88 percent. At Stage IIB the survival rate drops to 12 percent and becomes 76 percent. When the breast cancer reaches Stage IIIA, the survival rate drops 20 percent to 56 percent. The survival rate at stage IIIB drops to less than 50 percent at 49 percent. When breast cancer reaches Stage IV the survival rate drops to 16 percent.
The figures above are based on a five-year survival rate. This refers to the average number of patients who are still alive after five years of being diagnosed with a particular stage of breast cancer. The survival rate for each stage decreases after seven years.
What people must remember is that the above survival rates are based on averages. There are advanced breast cancer patients that live longer than seven years. This is primarily because of the constant developments made by breast cancer researchers on new breast cancer treatments that are aimed to prolong the survival of breast cancer patients.
The stages of breast cancer are based on a process called staging. It is used by doctors to determine the size and location of the cancer among patients. Staging is one of the most important factors in choosing the method of treatment that is going to be used for the patient. Several tests and examinations are done to determine the stage of breast cancer. These tests and examinations include biopsy, clinical breast cancer exams, chest x –ray, imaging tests, bone scan, mammogram, MRI scan and CT scan. To check whether the cancer has spread to other organs aside from the breasts a blood test is often conducted to the patient. The blood tests are performed usually after imaging tests are employed.
At Stage 0 the cancer is still contained. This means that it has not spared beyond the ductal system of the breasts. Stage 0 breast cancer constitutes fifteen to twenty percent of breast cancers detected by clinical examinations.
In Stage I, the cancer is approximately 2 cm or less in diameter and has not spread into the lymph nodes. In Stage IIA, the cancer is between 2 and 5 cm in diameter but has not yet spread to the lymph nodes.
In Stage IIB, the tumor is between 2 and 5 cm and has already spread to the lymph nodes in the underarm. Stage IIB cancer could also mean that the tumor is more than 5 cm in diameter but has not spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage IIIA cancer is used to refer to cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in the underarm and to the axillary tissues. In Stage IIIB, the primary cancer tumor has attached itself to the walls and lymph nodes of the chest. In Stage IV, the cancer has spread to the other parts of the body such as the lung, liver, brain and bone.
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