survival and reoccurance after 5 years

[jimbo41]

Does anyone display or report the statistics for reoccurance and survival of breast cancer patients after the first 5 years? How about those who use Aromosin vs. Tomaxifin?

[may8]

It's been three years since I had a double mastectomy.   To anyone who did it--was the flap reconstruction worth it or just more problems? thanks for any info and hope everyone is doing well!     Plus thanks for my earlier responses...

[Mukenhimer]

Check out the website adjuvantonline.com (even my oncologist uses it). It shows survival and recurrence rates based on the exact type of cancer you had, your age, and what treatment you chose.

[japdip]

If if wasn't recommended by the Oncologist soon after surgery I would think NOT. To me it wasn't worth the side effects at any time but that's a personal thing.

[may8]

Does anyone know if it is statistically worth all the side effects to start taking arimidex three years after double mastectomy?  Thanks for any help.

[riley180]

Here is the data for survival at 5years.

Stage 5-year Relative
Survival Rate
0 100%
I 100%
IIA 92%
IIB 81%
IIIA 67%
IIIB 54%
IV 20%
Source: American Cancer Society

Perhaps it is better to inquire about risk assessment from your doctor. In general stage classifications have not incorporated some factors like ER positivity and I’m assuming the patient is ER positive because of your interest in Aromasin and Tamoxifen. But in general, Tamoxifen can lower the risk of recurrence to as much as 50% compared to no Tamoxifen. The data for Aromasin involves an unplanned switch from Tamoxifen to Aromasin, so for a new patient about to start therapy with a hormonal agent, this may not be the best evidence. The aromatase inhibitor studied in this setting is Arimidex. There is a persistent advantage for Arimidex, an absolute gain increasing with each year of follow-up (at 3 years 1.7%, 4 years:2.4%, 5 years 2.8%, 6 years 3.7%) even aftebeyond the  5 year mark .

[bhumi123]

Hi,
The chance of breast cancer recurrence without adjuvant treatment is highest in the first 5 years and peaks within the first 3 years after an initial diagnosis of early breast cancer. The chances of recurrence then gradually decline. The graph at the link below will help you understand the statistics better - http://www.arimidex.net/gUserFiles/adx_ebc_Annual-Risk-of-Rec.gif
Go through the following article too - http://moffitt.org/moffittapps/ccj/v3n5/article4.html
You will find it helpful. Hope it answers your query.