Can you actually survive stage 4 breast cancer nowadays?

Hello

Thanks in advance for any advice or answers. 

Am sorry to trouble you but am confused about what i have read and what i have been told.

I have been told by a medical team  that advanced breast cancer can be loooked at just like a chronic illness in some circumstances

And I have also read recently that advanced breast cancer has an excellent survival rate,.

But what is excellent in these circumstances? I want to be positive but also realistic. 

I read tales where people are happy that either themselves, their friends or relatives made it to 5 years, which indeed is lovely.

And I know this may sound odd or maybe ungrateful but  Is this considered excellent?

I always thought with chronic illnesses you just lived a normal life span but carried on with treatment.

Has anyone ever made it to 10, 20, 30,or even 40 years?

  • 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

  • Hi Mamacass67, this is SO good to hear and I’m really happy for you!!! We’re waiting for biopsies for my wonderful Morher who they suspect has secondary breast cancer and she has tumours in her brain, lung (potentially) and both ovaries, I’m looking into complimentary therapies, diet, supplements, anything I can but we only found this 5/6 days ago so we’re still reeling and don’t fully know what we’re dealing with just yet, I wondered if you might elaborate a little (or a lot!) on what you mean by taking responsibility for your own treatment? Many thanks in advance for any guidance, or just words from your story, Amanda x I hope you continue to feel great! Xx
  • 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