From the American Cancer Society:
Staging and Survival Rates
Staging is the process physicians use to assess the size and location of a patient’s cancer. This information helps determine the most optimal form of treatment. Breast cancer stages range from Stage 0 (very early form of cancer) to Stage IV (advanced, metastatic breast cancer). Click here for a detailed explanation of each stage of breast cancer.
The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is calculated based on averages. Each patient’s individual tumor characteristics, state of health, genetic background, etc. will impact her survival. In addition, levels of stress, immune function, will to live, and other unmeasurable factors also play a significant role in a patient’s survival.
<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=0 width=300 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#ececff>
Stage</TD><TD align=middle bgColor=#ececff>
5-year Relative
Survival Rate
</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>
0</TD><TD align=middle>
100%</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>
I</TD><TD align=middle>
98%</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>
IIA</TD><TD align=middle>
88%</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>
IIB</TD><TD align=middle>
76% </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>
IIIA</TD><TD align=middle>
56%</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>
IIIB</TD><TD align=middle>
49%</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>
IV</TD><TD align=middle>
16%</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
Source: American Cancer Society</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
Breast cancer survival also continues to decline after five years. Survival after ten years depends on the stage; early stage breast cancers are associated with high survival rates than late stages cancers.
<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=244 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ececff colSpan=2 height=18>
Overall Survival Rate
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="50%" height=76>
After 5 years
After 10 years
After 15 years
After 20 years
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="50%" height=76>
85%
71%
57%
52%
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=244 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
Source: American Cancer Society</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER><CENTER></CENTER><CENTER></CENTER><CENTER></CENTER><CENTER>Regards</CENTER><CENTER>Joe</CENTER>