What is the Survival Rate for 3rd-Stage Breast Cancer?

Survival Rates for Stage 3 Breast Cancer in India

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Breast cancer affects approximately 1 in 28 women in India. It is characterised by cancerous cells in the breast multiplying to become tumours. Up to 80% of it is invasive.

Stage 3 breast cancer means the cancer has spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Doctors also call this locally advanced breast cancer because of this.

What Does Survival Rate Mean?

Breast cancer survival rates are a percentage, showing the approximate survival rate after a certain period of time. Generally, it is calculated on a 5-year basis.

However, this data depends on the cancer stage and the treatment received. Doctors use this data to plan prognosis and treatment.

3rd Stage Breast Cancer Survival Rate

Survival rates depend on several factors, such as age, access to quality healthcare, aggressiveness of the tumour and response to treatment.

In India, 70-86% of people diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer are alive 5 years after diagnosis. This is also called the five-year survival rate.

What Factors Influence Survival Rate?

There are several factors which influence stage 3 breast cancer survival rates. They are:

Sub Category of Stage 3

Doctors further divide the 3rd stage of breast cancer into 3 subcategories. They are 3A, 3B and 3C. The survival rate after 5 years can vary according to these distinctions. For example, stage 3A may have a higher chance of survival than stage 3C.

HER2 Statistics

The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2, or HER2, gene controls how the cancer cells grow. Tumours which test positive for this gene tend to react better to targeted therapies.
However, tumours lacking this gene may not show any response, thus affecting survival rates.

Age of the Patient

Patient's age also plays a major role in survival rates. Surprisingly, people who are diagnosed with breast cancer before reaching 50 tend to have lower survival rates.
However, people who are diagnosed with cancer later in life have a higher chance of detecting it early. This increases the survival rate.

Type of Breast Cancer

There are different types of breast cancer, some more aggressive than others. Subtypes such as Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) or Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) have lower rates of survival.

Overall Patient’s Health

Along with the above-mentioned reasons, patients’ overall health also plays a significant role in the survival rates of 3rd-stage breast cancer. Men or women with other diseases, such as diabetes or kidney or liver disease, may face lower rates.

How Have Medical Advancements Improved Survival Rates in India?

Medical advancements have significantly improved survival rates in India. With localised treatments, better supportive care and reduced recurrent rates, cancer care in India is becoming more comprehensive.

Localised Treatments: These treatments can treat cancer at its origin. This reduces damage to healthy cells, improving survival.
Better Supportive Care: Breast cancer treatments often incur several side effects such as nausea, headache and others. With advancements in supportive care, patients can now handle these with ease.
Decreased Recurrence Rates: With new therapies, survival rates have improved.

With the rise of breast cancer in India, people often look towards survival rates for comfort. Incidents of death from breast cancer have significantly reduced as medical technology advances. Currently, in India, there is an 86% survival rate for stage 3 breast cancer. Getting help as soon as possible increases this rate.