Breast Cancer Survival Rate – Stage 4 Breast Cancer

The breast cancer survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer is much lower than for breast cancer detected at earlier stages.

Stage 4 breast cancer, or advanced breast cancer, has metastasized to other tissues, including bone tissue, lung tissue, or the liver. When breast cancer has overwhelmed the body’s natural defenses and has become so widespread by the time the cancer is first diagnosed, the 5-year survival rate drops to 16-20% in the United States ( American Cancer Society).

Up to 5% of white women in the US and up to 9% of black women have advanced breast cancer that has spread to distant tissues at first diagnosis (SEER). This difference is generally attributed to poverty and lack of health insurance.

In general, women who have advanced breast cancer at diagnosis live about 18 months after diagnosis (median survival rate). Those who are still alive five years after their advanced breast cancer diagnosis may live an additional 3.5 years (median survival rate) according to the American Cancer Society.

Since this is the deadliest category of breast cancer, it is important to work closely with all health care providers. New treatments are being developed all the time, and second or even third opinions can provide the patient with more information about newly discovered successful solutions.

Early detection is clearly the most important factor in breast cancer survival rates. Breast cancer detected at Stage 1 while it is still localized to the breast has a 98-100% survival rate, while metastatic breast cancer first detected at Stage 4 drops to 16-20%. %.

Early detection procedures should include monthly self-exams performed at the same time each month. Between the ages of 20 and 40, healthy women should have clinical breast exams by their health care providers every three years. After age 40, breast exams should be yearly and should include a mammogram or similar procedure.

White North American women have the highest rates of breast cancer in the world, but the 5-year survival rate for all stages (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4) combined is 88%. for the US A recent study found European countries have lower 5-year breast cancer survival rates, with England at 77.8% and Ireland at 76.2% (Lancet Oncology).

The difference in these survival rates is generally attributed to early detection that saves lives.