Breast Cancer (cont.)
Medical Author:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEPDr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MDMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. In this Article
 What is the prognosis of breast cancer?
Comment on this
Survival rates are a way for health care professionals to discuss the prognosis and outlook of a cancer diagnosis with their patients. You have to determine if you want to know this number or not and should let your health care professional know. The number most frequently discussed is 5-year survival. It is the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after they are diagnosed with cancer. Many of these patients live much longer, and some patients die earlier from causes other than breast cancer. With a constant change in therapies, these numbers also change. The current 5-year survival statistic is based on patients who were diagnosed at least 5 years ago and may have received different therapies than are available today. All of this needs to be taken into consideration when interpreting these numbers for yourself. Below are the statistics from the national cancer database and reflect patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and 2002:
Can breast cancer be prevented?There is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer. Reviewing the risk factors and modifying the ones that can be altered (increase exercise, keep a good body weight, etc.) can help in decreasing the risk. Following the American Cancer Society's guidelines for early detection can help early detection and treatment. There are some subgroups of women that should consider additional preventive measures: Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should be evaluated by genetic testing. This should be discussed with your health care professional and be preceded by a meeting with a genetic counselor who can explain what the testing can and cannot tell and then help interpret the results after testing. Chemoprevention is the use of medications to reduce the risk of cancer. The two currently approved drugs for chemoprevention of breast cancer are tamoxifen (a medication that blocks estrogen effects on the breast tissue) and raloxifene (Evista), which also blocks the effect of estrogen on breast tissues. Their side effects and whether these medications are right for you need to be discussed with your health care professional. Aromatase inhibitors are medications that block the production of small amounts of estrogen usually produced in postmenopausal women. They are being used to prevent reoccurrence of breast cancer but are not approved at this time for breast cancer chemoprevention. Preventive surgery: For a small group of patients who have a very high risk of breast cancer, surgery to remove the breasts may be an option. Although this reduces the risk significantly, a small chance of developing cancer remains. Some of the reasons for this approach may include:
Reviewed by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD on 9/26/2012 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Breast Cancer - Symptoms
Question: What symptoms of breast cancer did you have before you were diagnosed?
Breast Cancer - Prognosis
Question: Are you a breast cancer survivor? Please share your story.
Breast Cancer - How Was It Detected
Question: How was your breast cancer detected?
Breast Cancer - Treatments
Question: Please describe your experience with the treatments for your breast cancer.
|
Suggested Reading on Breast Cancer by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
40 articles-
Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites).
-
Ovarian Cancer
- There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of
-
Bone Cancer
- In the U.S., more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with bone cancer every year. There are many types of bone cancer. The most common forms of bone cancer
-
Lupus
- Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease. Lupus can cause disease
-
Menopause
- Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the "change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes,
-
Alcoholism
- Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting
-
Fibrocystic Breast Condition
- Fibrocystic breast condition (sometimes called fibrocystic breast disease) is characterized by lumpiness and usually discomfort in one or both breasts.
-
Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
- Pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining around the lungs, is associated with sharp chest pain upon breathing in. Cough, chest tenderness, and shortness
-
Pleural Effusion
- Pleural effusion is an excess fluid between the two membranes that envelop the lungs. There are two classifications of causes of pleural effusion; transudate
-
Prostate Cancer
- Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death of males in
-
Lymphedema
- Lymphedema is a condition in which one or more extremities become swollen as the result of an impaired flow of the lymphatic system. There are two types
-
Obesity
- Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent
-
Cancer
- Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer
-
Hypercalcemia (Elevated Calcium Levels)
- Hypercalcemia is a condition in which calcium levels in the blood are elevated. Hypercalcemia is associated with other conditions such as hyperparathyroidism,
-
Male Breast Cancer
- Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man's risk of developing breast
-
Breast Lumps (In Women)
- Breast lumps in women can have a variety of causes such as breast inflammation, infection, injuries, cancer, and non-cancerous growths. Breast lumps in
-
Phlebitis
- Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein. Thrombophlebitis is when a blood clot causes the inflammation. Phlebitis can be superficial or deeper in the veins.
-
Paget Disease of the Breast
- Paget's disease is a rare form of cancer that forms in or around the nipple and frequently coexists with breast cancer. The exact cause of Paget's disease
-
Breast (Anatomy and Function)
- The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely
-
Women's Health
- Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur.
-
Menstruation
- Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine
-
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Inflammatory breast cancer is an accelerated form of breast cancer that is not usually detected by mammogram or ultrasound. Symptoms of inflammatory breast
-
Senior Sex
- Enjoying a satisfying sex life as we age is important to both physical and mental health. As we age, diseases and conditions may pose challenges in our
-
Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding
- It's important to know whether you will breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby prior to delivery, as the breasts' ability to produce milk diminishes soon
-
Birth Control (Types and Options)
- There are a number of different methods of birth control to include: barrier methods, IUDs, hormonal methods, natural methods, and surgical sterilization.
-
Tumor (Grade)
- Tumor grade is a system used to classify cancer cells in how likely the tumor is to grow, and how abnormal they look under a microscope. Tumor grade is
-
Fitness
- Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs
-
Genetic Counseling
- Your health care provider may refer you to a genetic professional. Universities and medical centers also often have affiliated genetic professionals,
-
Breast Cancer Prevention
- Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important
- See All Related Diseases & Conditions »
-
Swollen Lymph Nodes
-
Medications
31 articles -
Procedures & Tests
24 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
9 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
22 articles -
Health News
335 articles -
Health Features
23 articles
