Survival rates

Hi LunaG 

I’m sorry you have lost someone close to you to breast cancer. Unfortunately this is the sad outcome for some people. But, and this is a big but, many many people survive for a very long time after breast cancer. I have just been reading a post on another forum by a woman who had their treatment 30 years ago. 

Not everyone likes to know their prognosis in numbers, but if you did want to know you can put your information into NHS Predict and that will give you survival rates at 5, 10 and 15 years. There are two versions of Predict, the latest one appears more favourable but I believe is not endorsed by all oncologists. 

It’s natural to worry about survival when you have lost someone close and still finishing treatment yourself. It does get easier with time. x 

I think they probably only follow people for 5 years and so they don't have the data after that time. xx

Best wishes! 

So sorry for your loss. I had stage 2 in 2019, lumpectomy and radiotherapy, then hormone pills. I’m almost 6 years NED now, and two women in my support group are 12 and 18 years out. The 5 year stat is a checkpoint, not a ceiling, my oncologist shares 10 and 15 year outlooks too. What helped most is showing up for follow ups, moving my body daily, and taking meds on time. When the worry spikes, I focus on practical stuff to feel in control. Oddly, reading things like this US Fallout Shelter map helped me channel anxiety into simple prep lists.

Hi,

Definitely talk to your breast care team about understanding your prognosis.

My diagnosis is similar to yours, but in reality they don't expect it to come back - but there is always a chance, however small, that it will. Although if it does, I hope that treatment options will have progressed even more.

My view is that I know the odds of me dying of something else are higher, but that doesn't keep me awake at night, so why should this. 

The Predict tool helps to put things in perspective, particularly as I can tick that I've taken all the recommended treatment options.

And I've also been fortunate to be able to improve my fitness and diet since diagnosis. And having clear annual mammograms following treatment also helps.

It is very easy to worry about the future, especially in the early days, which is why you need to know the context of your own personal situation, and live your life accordingly.

Yes, the data doesn't seem to go past 15 years, but that doesn't mean that we don't get to be old - my consultant always said the media should use more stories like actress Maggie Smith, who was treated twice for breast cancer ,and lived to 89.

All the best.