Introduction
Survival rate is the number that is most important for many patients with a cancer diagnosis. In medicine, however, it is usually not possible to give it in years; instead, information is given on what percentage of patients are still alive after 5 years. These statistics must be handled very carefully, as they are often generalized and the survival rate, especially for breast cancer, depends on a variety of factors. An individual cautious estimate can only be made by the treating physician.
What is the overall survival rate for breast cancer?
In medicine, especially in the case of cancer, the survival probabilities are given as 5-year survival. These statistics do not look at how long individual patients survive, but rather how many patients are still alive after 5 years. For breast cancer, 5-year survival is 88% for women and 73% for men with breast cancer.
The 10-year survival rate is 82% for women and 69% for men. It can therefore be said that breast cancer is associated with a comparatively good survival rate. However, these two statistics are very generalized survival rates.
The individual rate depends on many factors, such as tumor size, degree of degeneration or lymph node involvement. In addition, the survival rate changes if the tumor or metastases recur over time after primary therapy. Furthermore, statistical data on the survival rate or prognosis must always be treated with caution, as the individual course of the disease can be completely different. Due to the many factors that influence the survival rate, only the treating physician can make an estimate of the individual survival rate by summarizing all the findings.
What is the life expectancy for breast cancer?
Life expectancy is the period of time between a fixed time of cancer diagnosis and the death of the person. In the case of cancer, it is hardly possible to determine life expectancy precisely, as too many factors can have an influence and the individual course of the disease can hardly be predicted. Previously, the average life expectancy for metastatic breast cancer was approximately 2 years from the appearance of the first metastases.
This information on life expectancy is considered to be outdated, as modern therapy options offer good treatment options for advanced breast cancer as well. Instead of life expectancy, 5-year survival is more frequently measured in studies. If the disease can be brought to a complete standstill over a long period of time, normal life expectancy can be assumed in the absence of other diseases.
