June 23rd, 2012 by Hasham

Breast Cancer Survival Rates By Stage

Survival rates are often used by doctors as a standard way of discussing a person’s prognosis (outlook). Some patients with breast cancer may want to know the survival statistics for people in similar situations, while others may not find the numbers helpful, or may even not want to know them. If you decide that you do not want to read about them, skip to the next section.

The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after being diagnosed with cancer. Many of these patients live much longer than 5 years after diagnosis. Also, people diagnosed with cancer can die from other things, and these numbers do not take into account the fact that some of the deaths are from causes other than breast cancer.

In order to get 5-year survival rates, doctors have to look at people who were treated at least 5 years ago. Improvements in treatment since then may result in a more favorable outlook for people now being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Survival rates are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had the disease, but they cannot predict what will happen in any particular person’s case. Many other factors may affect a person’s outlook, such as your age and health and the presence of hormone receptors on the cancer cells. Your doctor can tell you how the numbers below may apply to you, as he or she is familiar with the aspects of your particular situation.

The available statistics do not divide survival rates by all of the substages, such as IA and IB. The rates for these substages are likely to be close to the rate for the overall stage. For example, the survival rate for stage IA is likely to be slightly higher than that listed for stage I, while the survival rate for stage IB would be expected to be slightly lower.

The numbers below come from the National Cancer Data Base, and are based on people who were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and 2002.

Stage 2 Breast Cancer Subgroups

The second stage of breast cancer is characterized by tumors being present in the breast and/or breast cancer cells found within the lymph nodes.

The main differences between stage 1 and stage 2 breast cancer are that breast cancer cells may be present in the lymph nodes & any tumors within the breast are larger and more developed in stage 2.

Stage 2 breast cancer is divided into two sub stages: 2A & 2B.

Whether the breast cancer is within a particular sub stage depends on the size of the tumors and location of the cancer cells.

Stage II Breast Cancer Survival Rate

The 8 year stage II breast cancer survival rate after the initial diagnosis in the United States may differ depending on the size of the cancer. Other factors that may influence the 8 year survival rate include:

-If the cancerous cells have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit.

-If the cancerous cells have multiplied to other parts of the body.

In case the tumor is less than two centimeters in size and has multiplied to the lymph nodes beneath the armpits, then the cancer is classified as stage 2A breast cancer. The survival rate at this stage is approximated between 88 and 92 percent. This is according to the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute.

In case the tumor is between 2cm and 5cm in size and has not multiplied to the lymph nodes, it is also classified as stage 2A breast cancer. However, if the tumor is between 2cm and 5cm in size and has multiplied to the lymph nodes, it is then classified as stage 2B breast cancer. At this stage, the survival rate is roughly 8 years. Then again, in case the tumor is bigger than 5cm and has not multiplied past the breast tissues, it is classified as stage 2B breast cancer.

According to studies carried out by the National Cancer Institute, it is believed that roughly 29 percent of white women are diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. The study went further to reveal that 36 percent of black women are diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. 60% of cancer diagnosis are usually localized (i.e. stage I breast cancer). Should the tumor be diagnosed in the early stages, that is, stage I breast cancer the 8 year survival rate is increased by more than 98 percent. The key to saving the life of a cancer patient is detecting the cancer in its early stages.

Improving once survival rate

Luckily for stage II breast cancer patients, a lot of effort has been put to ensure that everyone has access to information in regards to early detection of breast cancer. Coupled with enhanced treatment for stage II breast cancer, the survival rate for stage II breast cancer has increased over the last couple of years.

Women can ensure that they live more than the approximated 8 years by carrying out self-examination tests on a monthly basis. Women who are aged above 20 ought to make certain that they go for clinical examinations once in every three years. On the other hand, women who are aged above 40 ought to make clinical examinations for breast cancer part and parcel of their yearly health check-up. This is in addition to mammogram tests.

Prevention is also key to enhancing the 8 year survival rate of stage II breast cancer. Practicing healthy lifestyle, for example, eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding junk and processed foods, regular exercises and minimizing alcohol consumption. According to recent studies carried out by CDC – Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of stage II breast cancer advances with age. Therefore, leading a healthy lifestyle ensures that one is not prone to stage II breast cancer.

Recurrence rate

There are also studies which show a recurrence of roughly 10 percent in women who have suffered from stage II breast cancer and have managed to get rid of the cancerous cells. What’s more is that, younger women have higher chances of surviving stage II breast cancer compared to older women.

General survival rate

The general survival rate for women diagnosed with stage II breast cancer can be more than 85%. The survival rate for women diagnosed with stage I breast cancer is approximated at 98 percent. The survival rate for women diagnosed with stage II breast cancer is roughly 83 percent. However, the survival rate for women diagnosed with either stage III breast cancer or stage IV breast cancer is roughly 23 percent.