HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - early Christmas present--10 yr overall & bc specific survival results just published!

JessicaV · 03-15-2015, 09:57 PM

Hi Amy, you say that early detection does not affect survival rates. This is something I keep hearing quoted. It interests me because it is counter-intuitive, and I decided I would like to explore it further in order to understand the issue properly.

When I did a search on the research into correlations or the lack of them between early detection of breast cancer and survival rates, what I found was a study published in 2007/8 called "An overview of prognostic factors for long-term survivors of breast cancer" (A review of the PubMed database from 1995 to 2006, also using data from long-standing Eindhoven Cancer Registry summarizing available knowledge on the determinants of survival 10 years or more after breast cancer diagnosis.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2217620/

"Trials on population screening have reported 21–29% reduction in BC mortality for women invited for screening within 14–16 years of follow-up [19, 97]. Screening identified tumours at an early stage consequently, survival improved [98, 99]"

"Conclusions Effects of traditional prognostic factors persist in the long term and more recent factors need further follow-up. The prognosis for breast cancer patients who have survived at least 10 years is favourable and increases over time. Improved long-term survival can be achieved by earlier detection, more effective modern therapy and healthier lifestyle."

This is different to the information you have found. Maybe these different research projects deal with different populations (this one only looks at woman who have survived 10years post diagnosis). Maybe they are talking about statistical significance not being reached. Maybe the research design affects the results. Or maybe there are changes happening with time so what is true in 2007 is not true at the time of the research you are referring to (which may be earlier or later).

Would you mind giving the links to the research that says that early detection makes no difference to survival, so we can start to look together at these different bodies of evidence and discuss them? I am not trying to tell you that you are wrong, just inviting you to be part of a joint process to help get to the bottom of this discrepency.

03-15-2015, 09:57 PM	#34
JessicaV Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 206	Re: early Christmas present--10 yr overall & bc specific survival results just publis Hi Amy, you say that early detection does not affect survival rates. This is something I keep hearing quoted. It interests me because it is counter-intuitive, and I decided I would like to explore it further in order to understand the issue properly. When I did a search on the research into correlations or the lack of them between early detection of breast cancer and survival rates, what I found was a study published in 2007/8 called "An overview of prognostic factors for long-term survivors of breast cancer" (A review of the PubMed database from 1995 to 2006, also using data from long-standing Eindhoven Cancer Registry summarizing available knowledge on the determinants of survival 10 years or more after breast cancer diagnosis.) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2217620/ "Trials on population screening have reported 21–29% reduction in BC mortality for women invited for screening within 14–16 years of follow-up [19, 97]. Screening identified tumours at an early stage consequently, survival improved [98, 99]" "Conclusions Effects of traditional prognostic factors persist in the long term and more recent factors need further follow-up. The prognosis for breast cancer patients who have survived at least 10 years is favourable and increases over time. Improved long-term survival can be achieved by earlier detection, more effective modern therapy and healthier lifestyle." This is different to the information you have found. Maybe these different research projects deal with different populations (this one only looks at woman who have survived 10years post diagnosis). Maybe they are talking about statistical significance not being reached. Maybe the research design affects the results. Or maybe there are changes happening with time so what is true in 2007 is not true at the time of the research you are referring to (which may be earlier or later). Would you mind giving the links to the research that says that early detection makes no difference to survival, so we can start to look together at these different bodies of evidence and discuss them? I am not trying to tell you that you are wrong, just inviting you to be part of a joint process to help get to the bottom of this discrepency. __________________ 1997-2004 many cysts, many MG & U/S: polycystic breasts. Sept 2013 found lump,Cyst?? forgot lump. Dec 2013 GP check, Referred for U/S, MG,FNA. 7 Jan 2014 Radiology: Radiologist turned screen away from me. When asked she said "Not a cyst, very suspicious.See your GP asa results avail." Cancelled my psych clients for the week. 8 Jan 14 GP: 2.2cm IDC in 6cm DCIS field. FNA=malignant cells. Referred to Surgeon. Cancelled my psych clients for the month. 13 Jan 14 Surgeon said L mastectomy not lumpectomy, offered neoadjunctive trial, agreed adjunctive chemo after surgery a good choice for me. Booked Body scan and bone scan for staging (both fine) Surgery for16 Jan, 16 Jan 14 Surgeon also agreed in preop meeting to also remove 6cm fatty cyst in job lot. Good job done. 19 Jan 14 discharged home with 1 drain. 22 Jan 14 drain partly pulled out overnight, serious seroma (600 ml reducing removed every 2 days for a month) Serious staph infection because nurse said wait 3 days for yr surgeon appointment. 26Jan 14 pathology: 2.2cm Grade 3(3,3,2)ER-, PgR-, HER2+2 so to be confirmed by Sish test. Node negative. No vascular or lymphatic involvement. No metastases in scans. 30 Jan 14 HER2+ high amplification, 13 gene copies per cell. 21st Feb 14 Began 3wkly TCH adjuvant treatment at The Mount Hospital Perth, with 3monthly MUGA heart tests +Oncologist or Surgeon full physical check-up. Cancelled my psych clients for 6 months. Feb 14 First MUGA test: 71%, First C15.3 test: 20 7th March 14 began Neulasta self-applied injections 24hrs after each TCH treatment. Bonepain helped by spa, heatpacks and Claritin, reflux/indigestion helped by Somac. July 14 completed docetaxol and carboplatin, ongoing herceptin to 12 months. Severe cognitive deficit/fatigue after 1pm daily. Sept 14 Second MUGA test: 69% Cancelled my psych clients for 2014 Dec 14 Third MUGA test: 70% Second C15.3 test : 20 Cognitive fatigue delays return to work. March 2015 Tachycardia pulse 168, night in hospital. Cardiologist says no heart disease, ALIVE ECG attachment for my mobile phone now regular monitoring. July 2015 Worktrial, up to 8hrs per wk. Fatigue ongoing Aug 2015 Heart good, no evidence of cancer, just Fatigue. May 2019 Melanoma 1.5cm Stage 1 by right collarbone(was present as large freckle in 2014 and cut through by breast surgeon to remove fatty cyst at same time as mastectomy.) Melanoma removed leaving scar from shoulder to breastbone. In hospital twice for IV antibiotics. Told catagorically this could not be BC mets. Dec 2019 Still NED, still fatigue in late afternoon, but have my brain back in the early mornings. So most days I watch the sunrise and hear the birds morning chorus in my bush backyard and am glad to be alive and to be me still.