Hi,

Survival rates for breast cancer are fairly high in comparison to some other types of cancer. My own cancer has pretty lousy survival rates. These stats off the CRUK website may help ... www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../common-cancers-compared

Traditionally 5 years has been held up as statistically significant and as a result there's lots of stuff on the Internet about 5 year survival rates - the stats above cover 10 years too. 

My oncologist told me that the longer people survive the more likely they are to survive a long time. This sounds illogical at first, but if you put all the patients on a graph, some die within 12 months of diagnosis, others within 5 years (if they survive the first year) but an awful lot who make it to five years are still around after ten years. I hope this makes sense.

Best wishes

Dave

HI Davek

the link you’ve provided is very interesting but refers to Brest Cancer and you’re right survival rates for Breast Cancer are very good. My Mother In Law, for example lived for forty years after her diagnosis. (She sadly died within two months of her diagnosis with ovarian cancer).  

Sadly, this post is about the very different animal; Secondary Breast Cancer. Average survival rates for this appear to be at 3.5 years according to one source I recently saw on the Internet. It appears to depend on what type of Breast Cancer the person has. It’s nearly always good to aim high and most of us, However we are effected by cancer are aiming for that. I hope you manage to be a record breaker for your own cancer and feel as well as you can. 

Bryony

Carer to partner with Secondary Breast Cancer  

Yay! Thanks Mamacass67! That's exactly the sort of thing I needed to hear. Brilliant. Gives me something to aim for! You must be some strong lady!

Onwards and upwards and all that. And it's been worth the struggle for me so far- two grandchildren I never thought I'd see, and one on the way!

xxx

Hello,

Is there anyway you could private message me? Im really interested in knowing what approach you took with your treatment. I was orignally dx in 2016 with stage 3 bc but was only in remission for a yr and about 4 weeks ago i was told im now stage 4 metastatic triple positive with it in my lymphnodes and lung and only have about 4-5 years if im lucky. Im sorry, but I dont accept that and am wanting as many personal experiences that I can get! 

Thanks in advance!

Hi Huff and welcome to the forum, 

I'm sure mamacass will get back to you when she can but whilst you wait I just thought I'd let you know there is an option to private message which you can find out more about by clicking here.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi mand333,

I'm in a similar position right now to the one you were in in April. How are you and your mum getting on? Any advice or experience that you can share would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Ashley

Mamacass67  Hi ,I know this is an old post and I hope you are still doing well .If you are I would be interested in your treatment options though I am tn so they may not be ones I can have .thank you .maria

awww that’s amazing... I’m 32 I was 29 wen I was diagnosed with breast cancer had masctomy chemo radiotherapy and tamoxifen for 10yrs unfortunately Iv found out it’s spread to liver .... Iv been advised if I’m not able to have surgery I’m looking at 2yrs witch is not an option for me as I have 4 little ones wot helped u ?? I’m looking in to cyber knife x

Hello,

I've had radio frequency ablation (where the tumors are burnt off either through the skin or they make an incision) 3 times now to the liver. I'm still in remission.

Hello,

I'm still in remission. I had bc that had spread to my skull, liver & abdominal lining. I've been on Tamoxifen & Letrozole, had iv chemo & tablet form. Had lumpectomy & radio frequency ablation 3 times to the liver. Next Oct I will be 5 yrs clear for the 2nd time.

ohhh my god that’s amazing well done I’m starting letrozole in next 2weeks !! Thanks for replying it’s so good to hear the good stories aswell 

ohhh my god that’s amazing well done I’m starting letrozole in next 2weeks !! Thanks for replying it’s so good to hear the good stories aswell 

You're welcome, hope all goes ok on Letrozole (I've had no side effects)

awww great stuff ️ 

Hello Mamma Cass,

just a question regarding Letrozole. Are you still free of side affects from it?? Most people appear to me to have quite negative affects. Would be good to hear for some it's not always the case!!! I note you were taking them in August 2019 and all going well. 
 

Hoping all remains well with you. 
 

kebbs x 

Hello kebbs,

I've been on Letrozole now since Jan 2016 & have had no side effects.

Brilliant!! It seems a rarity!!! Delighted for you though!!

Go well,

Kebbs x 

Hi

i am new to this forum and was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in May 2020 . The cancer had metastised to my spine  and hip bones at the time of my first diagnosis .

I have been taking Letrozole and Palbociclib and so far so good. I have had no side effects and feel fine. 

It is really good to hear about long term survivers. I will sign in to the forum from now on and look forward to sharing experiences.

Pat xxx

Hi Pat,

I too have been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer March 2021, I did not have any symptoms, it was low blood count, followed by bone marrow biopsy to investigate cause, that brought about the surprise and devastating diagnosis. I have mets in spine. I had always gone for my breast check appointments and last one, in September 2018 was normal.

Currently, I am on Letrozole (for past 5 weeks) and Ribosiclic (for 1 week) and I do not have any negative side effects so far. 

Oncologist has told me that I can be on that treatment for years (could not tell me how many years!) and then if/when it stops working, I would be changed to other options of drugs. 

It all sounds positive but people's reactions can get me down, with well meaning pity and flowers and chocolates....

I try to stop looking up Dr Google, but then I found this thread which has more current and positive stories.... I think medicines have improved greatly, even in past few years, and hopefully will continue to do so. 

I have faith in my doctors and in God and I feel they will carry me. There is no point surviving, if we cannot be positive and have a good quality of life. 

Hi NotQuitting

I just wanted to message you as it sounds like we are on similar treatment. I was diagnosed with SBC at the beginning of March this year, it has spread to spine, liver, lungs and ribs.

I am on ribociclib, letrozole and zoladex. I have also started the denosaumaub injection to strengthen my bones. So far I have had very little side effects and feel good. My first ct scan is the 8th May which I am v nervous about. 

Have the mets on your spine affected your mobility at all?

My symptoms started with lower back pain, and then I thought I had slipped disc. Before I was diagnosed I saw a chiropractor who manipulated my spine, it is possible he caused some mini fractures on my spine so my mobility has been badly affected. Since treatment started my back feels stronger and I am just starting to walk without my zimmer frame. 

Hi Daisy1257,

I did not have any symptoms at all.... just feeling a bit tired now and then, but nothing else. It was a blood test that showed low blood count that started investigations. So it was a big shock that cancer had progresses to lymph nodes and spine. 
oncologist put me on letrozole and Ribo. I will be starting bone strengthening treatment in next couple of weeks too. I am feeling fine, actually the tiredness is gone since starting letrozole, which oncologist suggested might happen.

apart from initial shock, I have been mainly very positive..... and this forum has strengthened that mindset. I do get the odd bout of sadness of course but we need to think positive. Breast cancer is very well researched compared to other types and they are making new and better treatments all the time. 
the fact that I will not be having chemo, surgery or radium is good in one sense, but people look at you when you say it is incurable. But as my cancer nurse says, it needs to be looked at as a critical illness, so that is where I'm at!

already oncologist said my lymph nodes are shrinking, so I'm sure your back pain will improve too with treatment. 
we need to live each day, as a wise woman once said 'who promised us a tomorrow?'

Hi NotQuitting

Yes I agree with you about the shock, it knocked me for six, especially as before Xmas I was totally fine and probably the fittest I have been as I worked out a lot during lock down. I too have been really positive and all of my family are too which is great. I've read some encouraging posts on ribociclib which has given me a boost. I also have two young girls, 5 and 7 so I have to stay positve for them, I'm not going anywhere!

I know there is no cure but I've read so many posts where women have remained stable for long periods of time, especially with hormone treatment. That is what I am aiming for.

You mentioned there is shrinkage of the lymph nodes, is it the ribo and letrozole that has done this or have you had other treatment.??

I hope you continue to do well on this treatment, stay positive and take care.