Outlook for breast cancer
What is the prognosis (outlook)?
The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure. The outlook has improved in recent years because of the routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 70. More breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
In general, the more advanced the cancer (the more it has spread) then the less chance that treatment will be curative. Factors which influence the outlook include whether the cancer is hormone responsive, and the grade of the cancer cells.
The treatment of cancer is a developing area of medicine. New treatments continue to be developed and the information on outlook above is very general. The specialist who knows your case can give more accurate information about your particular outlook, and how well your type and stage of cancer is likely to respond to treatment.
Screening for breast cancer
Women in the UK aged between 50 and 70 are invited to have a routine mammography every three years. Mammography is a special x-ray test and aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is most likely to be curative.
Genetic testing and mammography screening (and preventative treatments in some cases) may also be offered to younger women with a strong family history of breast cancer. See your doctor if you feel this applies to you.
Further help and information
Updated: 19th April 2009
Where to next?
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Breast cancer link with how much you drink
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Breast cancer: Women can expect a normal lifespan
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Free prescriptions for cancer patients
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Jordan dropped from breast cancer campaign
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Painkillers may cut your risk of breast cancer
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The breasts
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Wendy Richard talks about her fight with cancer
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What causes breast cancer?
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What is breast cancer?
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What is cancer?
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What is the treatment for breast cancer?


