Watching the CBc news last night I was astonished to hear that there are no figures about re-occurence rate of secondary breast cancer. Did I imagine it?
Thanks for that, never thought to look on iplayer, I am really surprised that they do not have these figures, how can they give us recurrence figures when they don't have them?
I think some of the recurrence figures we get quoted will be from Clinical Trials data for the individual subtypes of BC and the drugs being tested in the trials. I think that the NHS Predict tool uses pooled meta analysis data from hundreds [or more] of international studies. What the TV article was talking about was an audit of how many women are living (in England? or UK?) with secondary BC, which as you said at the beginning, they don't seem to know.
An audit will give an actual number at a certain date or period, whereas the figures we get quoted are likelihoods of survival and are kind of like saying: on average there is a XX% chance of 10year survival [which could be with secondaries or it could be disease free if we are fortunate]. I know which I like to think.
Thanks for highlighting this farmerann. I’ve struggled to find much on recurrence rates, most of the ‘stuff’ out there is on survival rates - including the Predict tool. I will be looking for further information when deciding whether to continue with anastrozole (if I’m given an option of course!) beyond 5 years. I’m only at 3 years atm but 2 years will go quickly. My kind of cancer (oestrogen receptive) is generally regarded as ‘good’ in the scheme of things as ‘very treatable’ but seems to have a habit of popping back for a second go further down the line. I’ve read the 30 per cent figure that was mentioned above, though I can’t remember where I saw it. Maybe a previous post on this forum. Anyway, food for thought!
HappyFeet1 xx
Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. – Hopi
Interesting as I have a Recurrence ...11 years later
I had failed lumpectomy 2010 for dcis as was too large at 4.5cms, left mastectomy, told I'd get radiotherapy, they they decided not to give it. No tablet medication then.
July this yr, found large 'clam' like lump attached tightly to mastectomy side mid way down side of ribs..I always checked underarm but never down middle left of my mastectomy....I had worked hard to cast 2 stone over 2 yrs....thinner n no fat so felt it.lucky I lost the weight, I would not have known.
.Recurrence...even though mastectomy done in 2010 and 'all's breast tissue removed. this time it was 7mm, in nodes, Invasive Ductal C....on anastrozole after total axillary clearance 1sept..."nasty thing" must never have left and absolutely no signs it was there or had worked its way in to my nodes...large seroma holding up my radiotherapy, told I will be having chemo so that I get rid of it this time...I never thought it would return after 11 yrs. Once bitten twice shy when drs say "we've removed all your cancer"
On my journey again at 61 and this site is incredible.
Good luck to you and all the amazing ladies.....well done all of you and thank you for taking me under your wings.
I was told my c( which seems to be same as yours)....is nasty and will try and return again...oncologist told me it's been there 11 years and will want to return.
