Breast Cancer Survival Rates

Breast Cancer Overview

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, and it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with approximately 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer annually. This number has steadily increased by 0.5% each year since 2008.

The importance of cancer screening for early detection

Regular breast cancer screening is an essential factor in the early detection of breast cancer. It is one of the most critical factors affecting the rate of recovery and treatment methods. Therefore, seeing a gynecologist regularly and conducting comprehensive examinations is essential—especially breast ultrasound and annual mammogram. Therefore, awareness of breast cancer is essential, in addition to discounted and free breast cancer screening campaigns that encourage more women and girls to undergo screening and early detection of breast cancer.

Breast cancer prevention

By following these steps, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing breast cancer:

• Quit smoking of all kinds and stay away from gatherings of smokers.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Follow a healthy diet rich in natural ingredients and free of processed foods, added sugar, and saturated fats.
• Exercise regularly.
• Breastfeed.

Stages of Breast Cancer

The stage of cancer indicates the extent of cancer growth and spread, and the earlier the cancer is diagnosed and treated quickly after diagnosis, the better the recovery rates.

Stage 0

It is the pre-cancerous stage, with no invasive cancer cells or those prone to spreading and expanding.

Stage 1

Or what is known as localized cancer, where the tumor is small and is present only in the breast, and in some cases, it has spread to the lymph nodes adjacent to the breast.

Stage 2

At this stage, the cancer is still localized and concentrated in the breast only, but its size is larger than in stage 1. It may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage 3

At this stage, the cancer has spread to the skin, the breast wall, and to nearby cells and lymph nodes surrounding the breast.

Stage 4

At this stage, the cancer has spread to another or several other organs in the body. Breast cancer most often spreads to the bones, lungs, or liver.

Determining the stages of cancer depends on several factors, including:

• Tumor size.
• Whether there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
• Spread of cancer to other organs in the body.
• Cancer cells contain hormone receptors and need estrogen or progesterone to grow.
• The presence of the HER2 protein, which helps cancer cells grow.
• The aggressiveness of cancer cells when examined under a microscope.

Factors affecting the recovery rate from breast cancer

• Age.
• Type of cancer.
• Cancer size.
• Stage.

Breast cancer recovery rate by age

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, as studies indicate that the predominant age group among women diagnosed with breast cancer is between 65 and 74 years old.

The survival rate among women under 45 years of age is 88%.

The survival rate between the ages of 45 and 54 is 91%.

At the age of 55-64 years, it is 91%.

In the age group between 65-74 years, the rate is 92%.

If you are older than 75 years, the cure rate is 86%.

Breast cancer mortality rate by age

• Under 20 years old, the death rate from breast cancer is 0%.
• Women aged 20-34 have a 1% mortality rate from breast cancer.
• Among women aged 35-44, the death rate from breast cancer is 4.4%.
• Women aged 45-54 have an 11.6% mortality rate from breast cancer.
• Among women aged 55-64, the mortality rate from breast cancer is 21.3%.
• Women aged 65-74 have a 24.1% mortality rate from breast cancer.
• Among women aged 75-84, the mortality rate from breast cancer is 20.2%.
• At age 84 years and older, the death rate from breast cancer is 17.3%.

Breast cancer survival rates by stage

The localized stage

This includes the first stage, and the recovery rate is 99% in the second stage.

The regional stage

This includes the advanced first stage, the advanced second stage, and the third stage, where the cancer is not limited to the breast only but has spread to surrounding cells and the lymph nodes; the cure rate drops to 86%.

The distant stage

This is also known as stage IV, where the cancer has spread to another organ or several organs in the body; the cure rate is 31%.

The overall recovery rate for breast cancer among women is about 90%, and as we have seen, the rate increases with early diagnosis and is higher among young women.

Effect of treatment on survival rates

Breast cancer treatments are tailored to each patient individually, depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and her health condition. Many cancer treatments are effective and help get rid of breast cancer, but some treatments have annoying and tiring side effects. Some treatments are completely ineffective. It varies from one case to another.

In conclusion,

All the numbers mentioned in the article are taken from reliable references and sources, but they remain rigid numbers that do not reveal the whole truth. Even within the same age group and within the same stage, there are several variables that we mentioned at the beginning of the article, such as the type of cancer, Its growth rate, response to hormones, type of treatment, patient response to treatment, and its effectiveness in eliminating cancer, etc. Do not respond to fear; see your doctor and ask all your questions. Share all your concerns with her to be reassured.