How curable is breast cancer?
Friday, December 11th, 2009 at
2:56 pm
Sakura asked:
How curable is non-spread breast cancer?
How curable is non-spread breast cancer?
Tagged with: Breast Cancer • Cancer Breast
Filed under: Breast Cancer
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If the cancer has not spread to lymph nodes then the chances of effective treatment can be good, but there are no guarantees. No doctor will ever tell someone who’s had breast cancer that she is cured, because breast cancer can return at any time, even years after diagnosis and treatment.
This doesn’t mean nobody with breast cancer is ever cured – far from it. The statistic that 75% of breast cancers caught early are cured is undoubtedly correct, but no doctor will ever assure a woman who has breast cancer that she is cured or ‘all-clear’. I guess it can only be known for certain when they die from some other cause without ever having a recurrence of breast cancer. The fear is always there, though it takes more of a back seat as the years go by.
The survival statistics refer to people who have had breast cancer who are still alive five years after diagnosis; they may have terminal cancer by then, but if they’re still alive they’re included in the survival statistics.
Most recurrences occur within two years of diagnosis. After 5 years with no recurrences, the likelihood of recurrence is statistically very much reduced and continues to fall with every passing year. That’s why the five year mark is a significant landmark even though it doesn’t mean you’re cured.
I passed the five year mark myself a few months ago. I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer that had spread to 13 lymph nodes, and had surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. I’m currently fit and well with no sign of cancer at my most recent – and last! – check up.
it depends on many factors. what stage the cancer is in and if it has spread to any other organs and the type of cancer you have,
Breast cancer is very curable if has not spread, especially since you catch it early. Go here for a blog that will put your mind at ease.
I will not say curable since breast cancer can recur even years after treatment. The term the cancer doctors her use is NED status (No Evidence of Disease). I personally know one lady who is a thirty year survivor. If a breast cancer is caught early and has not spread the chances of successful treatment are very high. lo_mcg is right about the fear. During my recent hernia surgery, my surgeon (at my request) took a quick peek at my abdominal organs. He found no evidence of cancer.
I wouldn’t say cured, survived is more like it. I just told in a question about my sister who had a bi lateral mastectomy 8 mo ago and her stupid Dr wanted her to heal from the inside out and now she is dying because of massive infection and her Dr said she was cured. Not. I had a bi lateral mastectomy too. No infection, but cured? I don’t think we are ever cured. There’s always those rotten rogue cancer cells lurking around somewhere waiting for nice healthy tissue to come along and start all over again.
Breast Cancer-Curable58
Cancer
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Breast cancer is any type of malignant (cancerous) growth in the breast tissue. It can also spread to other parts of the body after a period of time. Early diagnosis is the key to survival.
In fact, most lumps in the breast are not cancers, they are benign and don’t spread to other parts of the body. However, every lump in the breast needs careful checking by a health care professional.
depends upon the stage. Initial stages are 100 % curable