What Is The Percentage Of Breast Cancer Survivors

Survival And Mortality Rates

Survival depends on mortality. You start with 100 percent of the people in the group.

100 percent mortality rate = survival rate

Say, the mortality rate in the group of people is 5 percent. Survival would be 95 percent .

Similarly, the number of people in a group who survive depends on the number of people who die. Say, 500 people are in the group and 1 person dies. This means 499 people survived .

Breast Cancer Survivor Shares Scary Symptom That Led To Diagnosis At 22 Years Old: ‘it Was Awful’

A 26-year-old breast cancer survivor is reminding young people that its never too early to get checked in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Lindsey Finkelstein, a blogger and small business owner from Montreal, was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma one of the most common forms of breast cancer on Oct. 7, 2016, when she had just turned 22.

In January 2016, just ten months prior to the life-changing diagnosis, Finkelstein recalled that she began experiencing pain in her right breast and felt a little bit of a lump.

I really didnt think anything of it, she told In The Know. I touched it once, maybe twice, and then I kind of forgot about it.

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A post shared by Lindsey Hope on Mar 1, 2018 at 4:52pm PST

A few months later in August, Finkelstein, who was entering her fourth year at McGill University at the time, says she began waking up with what she thought were nosebleed stains streaked across her sheets. Only weeks later did she realize that the stains were actually the result of nipple discharge, one of the more common symptoms of breast cancer.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your physician ASAP.

Early Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is rare in women in their 20s or 30s, accounting for less than 5 percent of all cases, but its the most common cancer for women in this age group. However, younger women with breast cancer experience unique challenges.

For women under 40, breast cancer is often diagnosed in its later stages, when it tends to be more aggressive. This means the survival rate is lower and the recurrence rate is higher.

So how do you know whether you have, or a woman in your family, has breast cancer? Here are the common early signs and symptoms.

• Skin changes. Such as swelling, redness, or other visible differences in one or both breasts.
• An increase in size or change in the shape of the breast.
• Changes in the appearance of one or both nipples.
• Nipple discharge.
• General pain in/on any part of the breast.
• Lumps or nodes felt on or inside of the breast.
• Changes in touch .
• Irritated or itchy breasts.

Male breast cancer symptoms can also be similar to those experienced by women, and these may include:

• Lumps in the breast, usually painless.
• Thickening of the breast.
• Changes to the nipple or breast skin, such as dimpling, puckering, or redness.
• Discharge of fluid from the nipples.

Breast cancer typically has no symptoms which is why screening is important for early detection. Take note of these symptoms and changes in the breast, until then, make sure to seek evaluation and checkup with your trusted doctor or specialist.

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The Surveillance Epidemiology And End Results Program

NCIs Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program collects and publishes cancer incidence and survival data from population-based cancer registries that cover approximately 35% of the US population. The SEER program website has more detailed cancer statistics, including population statistics for common types of cancer, customizable graphs and tables, and interactive tools.

The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer provides an annual update of cancer incidence, mortality, and trends in the United States. This report is jointly authored by experts from NCI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Cancer Society, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

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How The Research Was Conducted

The report specifically focuses on:

• female breast cancer survivors who are living with a diagnosis of cancer, including those who have recovered from the disease
• the link between diet, weight, physical activity and the likelihood of female breast cancer survivors dying from breast cancer, second primary breast cancer , or any other disease.

Breast cancer survivors are defined in the report as women who have received a diagnosis of breast cancer from the point of diagnosis, through and after treatment.

For the report, the global scientific research on diet, nutrition, physical activity and female breast cancer survivors was gathered and analysed, and then independently assessed by a panel of leading international scientists in order to draw conclusions about surviving breast cancer and reducing the risk of a second primary breast cancer.

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Triple Negative Breast Cancer Facts

1. Hormone treatments is not possible with this type of breast cancer.2. This is a much rarer type of breast cancer that affects a higher rate of Hispanics, African Americans, younger people and people that have a BRACA 1 gene mutation.3. Approximately 80% of BRACA 1 gene mutation tumors are triple negative.4. There is a strong correlation between an autosomal inheritance pattern and TNBC but most studies fall short of calling it a causal relationship.5. This cancer is harder to treat, is more likely to recur in the first five years after treatment and can be more aggressive BUT all of the factors including successful treatment largely depend on the stage in which the cancer is identified and the grade of the tumor.6. TNBC has a higher recurrence rate in the first five years after remission while other cancers like estrogen receptor positive cancers have much lower rates of recurrence during the first five years of remission.7. While TNBC recurs at a higher rate in the first five years once the five year mark passes with each additional year of survival the odds of recurrence is drastically reduced.8. After 5 years the chance of recurrence of TNBC is reduced by 50%.9. With each year after the 5 year mark the chance of recurrence is reduced by an additional 10%-15%.10. Long term survivors have almost a 0% rate that the disease will recur. With other breast cancers the recurrence rate climbs after the first 5 years.

Survival Rates For Breast Cancer

Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time after they were diagnosed. They cant tell you how long you will live, but they may help give you a better understanding of how likely it is that your treatment will be successful.

Keep in mind that survival rates are estimates and are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had a specific cancer, but they cant predict what will happen in any particular persons case. These statistics can be confusing and may lead you to have more questions. Talk with your doctor about how these numbers may apply to you, as he or she is familiar with your situation.

Also Check: What Is Metastatic Breast Cancer Mean

Facts And Statistics Associated With Breast Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society Inc, in 2019, theres an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed among women. Approximately 2,670 cases are in men. And there are also approximately 41,760n women and 500 men expected to have died from breast cancer in the 2019 survey.

Other facts and statistics on Breast Cancer that you should take note of include:

• 99% of breast cancer occur in women.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
• A womans risk for developing breast cancer increases as she gets older.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2021, its estimated that about 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers.
• A womans risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Less than 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.
• About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
• The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are sex and age .

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Facts About Breast Cancer In The United States

• In 2021, an estimated 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. as well as 49,290 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.
• 63% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage , for which the 5-year survival rate is 99%.
• This year, an estimated 43,600 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S.
• Although rare, men get breast cancer too. In 2021, an estimated 2,650 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the U.S. and approximately 530 will die.
• 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. It is estimated that in 2021, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
• There are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
• On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.

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What Is The Average American Womans Risk Of Being Diagnosed With Breast Cancer At Different Ages

Many women are more interested in the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer at specific ages or over specific time periods than in the risk of being diagnosed at some point during their lifetime. Estimates by decade of life are also less affected by changes in incidence and mortality rates than longer-term estimates. The SEER report estimates the risk of developing breast cancer in 10-year age intervals . According to the current report, the risk that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer during the next 10 years, starting at the following ages, is as follows:

• Age 30 . . . . . . 0.49%
• Age 40 . . . . . . 1.55%
• Age 50 . . . . . . 2.40%
• Age 60 . . . . . . 3.54%
• Age 70 . . . . . . 4.09%

These risks are averages for the whole population. An individual womans breast cancer risk may be higher or lower depending on known factors, as well as on factors that are not yet fully understood. To calculate an individual womans estimated breast cancer risk, health professionals can use the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool, which takes into account several known breast cancer risk factors.

Will I Die Of Breast Cancer

This is a difficult question to answer early in your cancer care but it is still worth asking. Many people just diagnosed with cancer have no idea how much of a risk to their life their unique situation poses. Most breast cancers carry a low risk of recurrence, especially early-stage cancers. The answer is usually reassuring.

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Statistics At A Glance: The Burden Of Cancer In The United States

Statistics at a Glance: The Burden of Cancer Worldwide

• Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2018, there were 18.1 million new cases and 9.5 million cancer-related deaths worldwide.
• Generally, cancer rates are highest in countries whose populations have the highest life expectancy, education level, and standard of living. But for some cancer types, such as cervical cancer, the reverse is true, and the incidence rate is highest in countries in which the population ranks low on these measures.

Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer

Cancers Linked To Radiation Treatment

Lung cancer: The risk of lung cancer is higher in women who had radiation therapy after a mastectomy as part of their treatment. The risk is even higher in women who smoke. The risk does not seem to be increased in women who have radiation therapy to the breast after a lumpectomy.

Sarcoma: Radiation therapy to the breast also increases the risk of sarcomas of blood vessels , bone , and other connective tissues in areas that were treated. Overall, this risk is low.

Certain blood cancers: Breast radiation is linked to a higher risk of leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome . Overall, though, this risk is low.

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How Has The Risk Of Being Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Changed In Recent Years

For a woman born in the 1970s in the United States, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, based on breast cancer statistics from that time, was just under 10% .

The last five annual SEER Cancer Statistics Review reports show the following estimates of lifetime risk of breast cancer, all very close to a lifetime risk of 1 in 8:

• 12.83%, based on statistics for 2014 through 2016
• 12.44%, based on statistics for 2013 through 2015
• 12.41%, based on statistics for 2012 through 2014
• 12.43%, based on statistics for 2011 through 2013
• 12.32%, based on statistics for 2010 through 2012

SEER statisticians expect some variability from year to year. Slight changes may be explained by a variety of factors, including minor changes in risk factor levels in the population, slight changes in breast cancer screening rates, or just random variability inherent in the data.

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• Reviewed:December 16, 2020

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer

There are many different signs and symptoms of breast cancer, so regularly checking your breasts for anything different or new is important.

The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment. Getting to know what your breasts look and feel like normally means its easier to spot any unusual changes and check them with your doctor. Common breast cancer signs and symptoms include:

• A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit. You might feel the lump, but not see it.
• Changes in the size or shape of the breast
• A change in skin texture i.e. puckering or dimpling of the skin
• A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
• Rash, crusting or changes to the nipple
• Any unusual discharge from either nipple

Almost half of women in the UK do not check their breasts regularly for potential signs of breast cancer.

According to a YouGov survey commissioned by Breast Cancer Now, one in 10 women have never checked their breasts for new or unusual changes. Meanwhile, a fifth of women check their breasts once every six months or less, while 13% do this once a year or less.

Asked what stops or prevents them from checking their breasts more regularly, almost half of women said they forget. This is concerning when most cases of the disease are detected because women have spotted new or unusual changes to their breasts.

Some factors are outside our control, including:

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Good News About Breast Cancer Trends

In recent years, perhaps coinciding with the decline in prescriptive hormone replacement therapy after menopause, we have seen a gradual reduction in female breast cancer incidence rates among women aged 50 and older. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, in part due to better screening and early detection, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options.

Incidence And Survival Rates

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in 140 of 180 countries worldwide. Between 2008 and 2012 breast cancer incidence increased by 20 per cent, while mortality has increased by 14 per cent. In the US, it is estimated that there are currently 3.1 million breast cancer survivors.

Overall survival rates for breast cancer vary world wide, but in general survival rates have improved. This is because the majority of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at an earlier and localised stage, and improved surgery and adjuvant tailored treatment regimes are available. In many countries the five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with Stage I/II breast cancer is 8090 per cent. If it has reached the distant stage the survival rate falls to 24 per cent. The five-year prevalence of breast cancer per 100,000 is 665 in Western Europe, 745 in North America, and 170 in Eastern Asia.

Recommended Reading: What To Do If I Think I Have Breast Cancer

Healthy People 2030 Target

• There is no Healthy People 2030 target for smoking rates among cancer survivors, though Healthy People does include a national objective to increase the mental and physical health-related quality of life of cancer survivors however, the goal for the general population is to decrease to 5 percent the proportion of people who are current cigarette smokers.

Healthy People 2030 is a set of goals set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services. Note: Goals are indicated as blue line on Detailed Trend Graphs.