Hi everyone,

My cousin has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately it’s already at stage 4 as it’s spread to her lungs, and they’re checking her bones soon as well.

Apparently stage 4 means it is incurable, but they can do various things to keep her alive.

My question is though, what’s the difference between cancer being terminal and incurable?  Is it  possible for someone (not specifically my cousin) to keep surviving stage 4 for a decade or more?

So does terminal just mean the same as incurable but with a short timescale?

Sorry if the answer is really obvious. I’m just numb with shock at the moment.

I know the stats aren’t good. Ignoring my cousin’s particular case, apparently about 37% die in the first year, then it slows down and something like 20% or 25% of women are still alive after 5 years. So getting past that first year seems to be really important.

Thanks,

Brian