It's an unsettling journey -- the pursuit of the five-year cancer survival mark. Some say each year of cancer survival makes the future more of a sure thing. And so surviving five years -- the traditional landmark of real remission -- is a big accomplishment. But then there's the perspective of numbers that for me say I have a 93 percent chance of surviving breast cancer for five years. After that, though, there's no telling what will happen. So I am eagerly awaiting the moment when I cross the five-year finish line as I anxiously realize this very same moment may also signal a more dismal outlook.The paradox hit me straight in the face yesterday as I was waiting for my radiation oncologist to give me another six-month all clear announcement. I was reading the January/February 2007 issue of Coping magazine while I waited. And as I flipped through the pages, I landed right at these words:
Studies show that half of all breast cancer recurrences occur after completion of five years of standard tamoxifen therapy. Additionally, a third of women with estrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer experience a recurrence, and more of half of these recurrences occur more than five years after surgery.
Now this doesn't apply directly to me. My breast cancer was estrogen receptor-negative which makes me a non-candidate for tamoxifen. And this is what scares me. My tumor was aggressive and while my treatment was also aggressive, I don't get the extra five-year protection from hormone therapy. If women taking this drug can have recurrences after completing the therapy, I wonder what's in store for me having not had it.
Maybe I'm making comparisons that don't amount to any real conclusions. Perhaps my type of disease allows for a more secure future. Or perhaps it places me on shaky ground. I don't know for sure. And I don't think I'll dive any deeper into research than I already have. Instead, I will live for today -- while enjoying the announcement my oncologist shared with me yesterday. All clear!
1. I am a 14 year breast cancer survivor. I had a very large tumor. Hormone receptors were negative. I had chemo and radiation. A year after my diagnosis, my older sister was diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer, although her hormone receptors were positive. It was a very aggressive, fast growing cancer, and while my prognosis wasn't too bad, hers was very bleak. They said she would maybe live 2 years if they were very aggressive with chemo and if she was extremely lucky. She's a 13 year survivor!
In my opinion, attitude helps a bunch! I started a mail order business selling headwear for chemo therapy patients (Chemo Savvy), and talk to lots of women with breast cancer and am always amazed and impressed that most of these women are so positive and upbeat in spite of a dreary prognosis.
Sometimes these women call me back after a few years to tell me how they're doing, and it really makes my day! Keep a good attitude and don't let the statistics get to you.
Posted at 9:55AM on Jan 27th 2007 by Barbara Haas