Survival after breast cancer
Most people diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States will live for many years. Overall, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer is 89 percent and the 10-year relative survival rate is 82 percent [1]. Relative survival compares survival rates between people with breast cancer to the general population. So, people with breast cancer are, on average, 89 percent as likely as other people to live five years beyond their diagnosis. It is important to keep in mind survival rates are averages and vary depending on each person’s specific diagnosis and treatment. For example, women with stage 0 (DCIS) or stage I breast cancer are just as likely as women in the general population to live five more years (relative survival is 100 percent). Moreover, these survival rates are for people diagnosed up to 10 years ago. With recent advances in treatment and early detection, people diagnosed with breast cancer today may have even greater survival rates.
Learn more about survival after early breast cancer.
Learn more about survival and breast cancer stage.
Unique issues for breast cancer survivors
Once your breast cancer treatment ends, your life changes in many ways. You face a new set of issues and concerns. You may have side effects like lymphedema or have issues related to sexuality, fertility or menopause. You may be concerned about your family members getting breast cancer and also worry that your own cancer will come back. But, there are things you can do that may ease many of these concerns.
Updated 06/24/11
