The Chances of Breast Cancer Metastasizing

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Often times, women with breast cancer are curious about statistics regarding metastasis. There are many statistics out there, and they can be frightening. There are many reasons not to even look at them, including the fact that they can be swayed depending on a woman’s lifestyle choices. When breast cancer metastasizes, it means that it moves to other areas of a woman’s body. With the appropriate resources, a woman can fight her way through breast cancer. Learning more about options can be a great tool to help with this.

The Good News

Almost 98 percent of survivors that find breast cancer before it metastasizes, do not have a problem with it metastasizing after 5 years, due to treatment. These are great odds, and can really show how good it is to find breast cancer early, before it spreads anywhere else. There are ways to lower your chances of your breast cancer metastasizing, if you find it early enough. This includes eating healthy, exercising, thinking positive, taking all treatment options available, and perhaps undergoing surgery to remove cancerous cells if your doctor recommends it. Risk factors such as family history can play a part in the chances of breast cancer metastasizing. Doctors use resources to trace the metastasized breast cancer back to other areas of your body. This can be highly beneficial because it means that the cancer is not going undetected. If you have breast cancer that metastasizes, doctors will trace it back to the part of your body where it originated – the breast. From there, both cancers can be treated at the same time.

The Bad News

According to statistics, metastatic breast cancer is going up about 2 percent every single year. Sadly, about 30 percent of women with breast cancer, will find out they have metastatic breast cancer. About 13 percent of these women will not even know that they have breast cancer until it spreads and metastasizes elsewhere. About 2,000 men per year are affected by metastatic breast cancer as well. The breast cancer is found in their breast tissue, and though they are not commonly found to have breast cancer, it is entirely possible. When breast cancer metastasizes, it is about 62 percent less likely to respond successfully to treatment, according to recent statistics. This can vary depending on where it metastasizes. Lymph nodes can be removed, so it makes it a bit easier to treat. The lungs or brain are not easy to treat, and will often be fatal.

EDITOR’S TIP:

If you are unsure about how to contact resources to help with breast cancer, and possibilities of metastasis, you can talk to your doctor. They will often have information to link you with a support group. From there, you can reach out to other resources that you might find helpful.

Breast cancer is often looked upon as a death sentence, but it’s not. If caught early enough, breast cancer may not metastasize, and it will also be more easily treatable. Through routine mammograms and self-breast exams, early detection of breast cancer is better than ever, which brings a better prognosis to patients. Resources that a woman needs include a great support system, a doctor that is willing to fight as hard as she is, and the willpower to keep going. Because breast cancer is becoming more prevalent, knowledge is key.

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