How many years before I can say I'm cured of breast cancer?
Rather than use the word "cured", most experts talk about the 5-year survival rate after cancer. Generally, survival rates are higher for women diagnosed with earlier-stage cancers (Stage 0 or Stage I); however, it also depends on a person's age and health, the presence of specific receptors on cancer cells, what treatment was given, and how the woman responded to treatment. Bear in mind that survival rates become out of date quickly as new treatments become available.
99% of women diagnosed with localized breast cancer are alive five years after the initial diagnosis. This drops to 86% in women diagnosed with regional breast cancer, and 28% for women with distant breast cancer. But as treatment evolves, so does the survival rate, and many women still live complete and happy lives even though some residual cancer may remain.
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What is the strongest chemotherapy drug for breast cancer?
Doxorubicin is considered one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers, not just breast cancer. Doxorubicin is also known as “The Red Devil” because it is a clear bright red color. It can cause your urine or other body fluids to turn a reddish color for 1 to 2 days after a dose is given, which is normal and temporary. Continue reading
Is small cell or non-small cell lung cancer worse?
Generally, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is worse than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SCLC accounts for about 10-15% of people who have lung cancer and is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. SCLC usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi), and although the cells are small, they grow very quickly and create large tumors. Early on in the course of the disease, there are rarely any symptoms. If caught early (limited-stage disease) 20-25% of people can be potentially cured. Extensive SCLC is more difficult to treat. Continue reading
Is non-small cell lung cancer hereditary?
A hereditary family history of lung cancer is one of the many risk factors for developing non-small cell lung cancer. About 8% of lung cancers are thought to be inherited or linked to gene changes, but smoking and air pollution remain the primary causes of lung cancer. Continue reading
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