Breast Cancer Stages – Breast Cancer Survival Rates
When the disease has not metastasized, there is a 86% five-year breast cancer survival rates for women suffering from this illness. That percentage means that 86% of women who develop breast cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. The good news is that depending on the breast cancer stages it is discovered, breast cancer survival rates can be even higher than the overall average.
As with most cancers, breast cancer, develops in stages. A standard classification of letters and numbers is used to describe the stages – T, N and M and 0-IV. T depicts tumor size, N signifies a spread to lymph nodes and M describes distant metastasis. When a primary tumor spreads to another area/s and forms more tumors, it has metastasized.
When a tumor cannot be assessed, it is designated the classification of TX. Where there is no indication of cancer, T0 is used. If one of the following forms is suspected – DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) or Paget's disease (where the nipple and/or areola is cancerous) – Tis is used.
Stage 0 Breast Cancer indicates that the cancer is in its earliest stage. Stage 1 Breast Cancer indicates that tumors have not spread and are less than 2cm in size. A tumor that is 2-5cm in diameter is classified as Stage 2 Breast Cancer, and a tumor larger than 5cm is considered Stage 3 Breast Cancer. When a tumor has attached to the chest wall and spread to the lymph nodes it is considered to be Stage 4 Breast Cancer.
Today, due to medical advances, many breast cancers are diagnosed and treated during the early stages.
Treatment received in Stage 0 and Stage 1 results in men and women having five year breast cancer survival rates of almost 100%. And yes, men can develop breast cancer, though at a far lower rate of 1/133 when compared to women. The survival rate for those with Stage 2 breast cancer is between 81%-92%. At Stage 3 the rate lowers to 67%, and then drops substantially to 20% at Stage 4.
Despite being a serious condition, breast cancer is now rarely life threatening. Even sufferers of later breast cancers stages often survive past seven years. As technology and medicine advance, breast cancer survival rates increase. Even later stage cancer survival rates are rising as medical and treatment methods improve.
The QM-MSP (quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR) is one such new method of diagnosis. Discovered in 2001, it uses fluid from the breast and tests the chemicals contained in the fluid. The chemical analysis undertaken during this test allows cancer to be detected with 86% reliability, and cancer clumps with as little as 50 cells can found. Treatment given in the early stages is highly effective, and new methods like this allow cancer to be diagnosed at the earliest possible stage.
Treatments are also improving, with hormone therapy, targeted radiation and molecule specific drugs now readily available.
Breast cancer is no longer the death sentence it used to be. While still serious, the odds of beating this disease are high, and treatments are far less invasive than in the past.
Introduction to Breast Cancer
Environmental and Lifestyle Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Breast Cancer Prevention – How to Prevent Breast Cancer
Genetic Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Breast Cancer Diagnosis - Breast Cancer Test
Breast Cancer Self Exam - Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Surgery Treatments
Breast Cancer Statistics, Diagnosis and Treatments
Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment
Breast Cancer Mammogram Diagnosis
Breast Cancer Diet Tests and Research
Chemotherapy Breast Cancer Medication
Breast Cancer Surgery Treatment
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