Survival / Relapse Rates - Real DATA

I am not sure I understand the data?

If you compare the relapes risk for TN and non TN, the difference is 5.3%. That means TN has 5.3% higher than non TN to have relaps during first 5 years. (This is the difference between relaps free rate of 86% for TN and 91.3% for non TN). This is higher but it is not  depressingly higher. Remember most ER+ sisters are on anti-estrogen treatment during first 5 yrs of dx, and it is unlikely they have relaps during that 5 yrs window treatment. TN has 5.3% higher than they do, but this figure doesn't look that desprately bad. This means, those of us dx at stage 1 or 2, most likely will be ok, right? Am I realing the chart wrongly? Does it mean, those don't have relaps, will most likely grow to an old lady?

It's a but tricky to interpret. 

Newalex: Quibbling here, but the probablily of 5-year survival is actually a difference of 5.3 percentage points.  Compared with our non-trip neg sisters, our probability works out to be worse by about about 5.8%. So not that bad. 

But I think the hazard ratios may be more meaningful when discussing early risk of recurrence.  In the first 3 years, adjusted for prognostic indicators, our group shows 58% more recurrences (this is not the same as having a 58% chance of a recurrence!), but after that we drop below the others to show only two-thirds the number of recurrences. Triple the number of deaths in first 3 years is really depressing (if I'm reading this right), but that 3-year mark really seems to be a watershed where we fall below the others who are not trip neg.

As much as I read stats, I also know they apply to large groups, and don't really say much about how I'm going to do. Trying to think positive about being negative! 

Luah

I agree with you but I think the harzard ratio applies to those who have had recurrence. So a 5.3% higher relaps rate is not that bad but for those who have replas then the harzard ratio plays a role and got depressing. But after 3 yrs, it seems like the relaps rates are lower than non TN and if had relaps after 5 yrs, the harzard ratio for TN is also not too depressing comparing to non TN whose harzard ratio becomes high.

We all pray that we are not going to have relaps. Without relaps, there is no talk of harzard ratio in the first place. 

Depends on which Dr. you speak to. I'll bet if you asked 20 you'd have them split 10 and 10. In this particular study they count from surgery date . Remember one thing though, perhaps the most important...these are still statistics. You'll never know where you fall in. I say that because my prognosis was horrid. Triple neg metaplastic bc which has a horrid prognosis, and an allergic toxicity reaction to chemo(which meant I only did the AC, not the taxol)....Im now 5 years and 4 months out from surgery. Somehow I dont think the stats were in my favour...and yet....Im still here knock on wood(or by the grace of God...or whatever else one wishes to insert). What Im trying to say is read the stats(you know you will), but dont panic over them(like I did....lol)!