What is Breast Cancer | Key Statistics | Risk Factors | Risk Reduction | Survival Rates

Early detection of breast cancers can dramatically affect the chance for successful treatment and survival rates of breast cancer patients.

When breast cancer is detected before it has spread to any of the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 100%. If the cancer has spread to a small number (1-3) of the underarm lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 86%. If the cancer has spread to other body organs, such as the lung or brain, the five-year survival rate drops to 20%.

The extent a cancer has spread from the primary site at the time of diagnosis and initial treatment has a significant impact on survival rates. When a breast cancer is detected while it is small and has not spread to other parts of the body, there are many treatment options open to the patient and the chance of a cure is the greatest. For that reason, it is very important for women to adhere to recommended screening tests to detect breast cancers at the earliest possible time.