Breast Cancer Survival Rates Are Up!
According to the Canberra Times breast cancer survival rates are on the increase. Great news!
Between 1982 and 1986 women’s 5 year survival rates were 53% while men’s were 41%. By recent numbers are looking better. Today’s survival rates are much higher!
- Stage 0: 100%
- Stage I:100%
- Stage IIA: 92%
- Stage IIB:81%
- Stage IIIA:67%
- Stage IIIB:54%
- Stage IV:20%
That’s a significant increase. A cancer diagnosis no longer has to mean a shorter life and it certainly doesn’t mean a death sentence. It’s a positive outcome for a disease that once put fear into women. Today women may still dread a breast cancer diagnosis but they needn’t. Just look at the five year success rates.
Early detection plays an important role in higher long term success rates so you should not only do your self breast examinations monthly, you should have a regular mammogram done. The numbers above should be all the proof that early detection is key.
Survival rates have improved for several reasons. Treatment options have improved, including new chemo drugs. Earlier diagnosis has certainly helped, and those earlier diagnosis are occurring because there has been an excellent job done of teaching all of us the importance of early diagnosis. There is a much better recognition than just a few years ago for many reasons including promotions.
Breast cancer isn’t just a women’s disease although there are a much greater number of women than men diagnosed with breast cancer.
Vigilance is critical. Any changes you notice in your breasts should be reported to your doctor right away. The earlier the detection the better the outcome for you. Not all lumps are breast cancer. Fibrocycsts account for some of the lumps that women find, but don’t just assume that’s the case. Also remember during your menstrual cycle you are likely to have lumpy breasts which have nothing to do with breast cancer.
Breast cancer is certainly still a threat to both men and women, but the increased survival rates are definitely promising. Perhaps one day we will no longer have to worry about breast cancer.
