Statistics on cancer treatments

Llld 1 month ago

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Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to read some more stats on the survival rates and the side effects of treatments, in particular considering age as a parameter. Would you be able to suggest me some publications?

A bit more context: I am 47 and have been diagnosed with breast cancer about a month ago. I have just had surgery. I still do not know what oncotype I have or treatment options, but given it is 3cm G3 IDC positive to hormones and HER2 negative it is likely to be chemo, hormone therapy and RT.
I have just had a lumpectomy and I do not know about margins or lymphnodes.

I would like to understand statistics on survival broken down by age, survival rates should someone opt out of chemo or hormone therapies (out of curiosity).

What I have found are some 5 years survival rates in the upper quartile, which I interpret as ‘more than 80% of women survive 5 years after diagnoses’. Is this roughlycorrect? From non-scientific literature, I would say more anecdotal readings, I seem to gauge a drop in survival rate around 20 years after the first diagnosis i.e. women dying from recurrence or metastasis around 20 years later.

Thank you in advance for any suggestion.

Gemma S - Macmillan 1 month ago

Dear Llld

My name is Gemma, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

Thanks for getting in touch regarding your Breast Cancer diagnosis.

As I am sure you have realised there is a lot of documentation and research into breast cancer and the survival rates.

Cancer Research UK has up-to-date statistics and breaks findings down into categories such as age/incidence and risk.

Statistics are averages based on large numbers of patients. They can’t predict exactly what will happen to you. No two patients are exactly alike and response to treatment also varies from one person to another.

Your clinical team will also be able to inform you of how opting out of treatment may affect your situation, Also how surveillance and monitoring during treatment will give you a better understanding of your response to surgery and any other treatments you opt for.

Please also consider giving us a call – we are so much better at providing information and support in sensitive situations such as these when we can talk together. Our contact details are at the bottom of my response. I think we can be so much more helpful to you by telephone.

Take Care

Gemma.

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref:GeS/AmG

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Statistics on cancer treatments