How long will i survive stage 3B

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Polyana
Polyana Member Posts: 200
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi just thought : is there any known stat for people staying on stage 3b any averages also. Want to ask where can i find the reccurrence calc i want to try it. My doc told me he doesnt believe in percentages and that every patient is a diff story i do trust him so much and i know he is one of the best known docs in town but i also know he might say so to keep my spirit high as i am a very anxious person. He did not tell me i had a cyst in my liver fir example . Another qyestion i am on tamoxifone and lost my period since july 2010 when i started chemo dies that mean i am on mp?! I am only 36 and i thought if life treats me good i might get a chance ti have babies!!!! The other thing i think i saw a piece of blood when i went to the bathroom today but nithing else could it be from the tamoxifine or is that uterus cancer

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  • Mamita49
    Mamita49 Member Posts: 538
    edited July 2011

    How come you are stage IIIb, you have only 2 nodes ?

    Dont get it........

    Dont worry too much, do your good diet, lots of veggies, lots of exercise, take your vitamins, your Tamoxofin, and enjoy life.......

    Nobody knows if it comes back, but try to consider yourself as stage O now. Your cancer is gone..

    Good luck. 

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  • FrancesC
    FrancesC Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2011

    Polyana, I have been on Tamoxifen for almost 5 years, no recurrence on my right breast. Had only 3 menstruation during these 5 years and each time they dont last very long.  See your doc if bleeding is irregular.  I have not been so lucky as just dx triple -ve on my left breast.  Lesson learnt is that we have to be very dilligent in checking our own bodies.   

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited July 2011

    Polyana,

    I completely understand why you are looking for more information.  I also understand why your onc doesn't believe in percentages. 

    Percentages are hard facts.  They are just guesses.  It's been said many times that they only percentages that matter are 0% and 100%.  But we are human.  And most of us need something to help us look to the future. 

    For me, I wanted to hear the percentages so I would know how hard I have to fight.  I had one onc tell me my odds for getting mets within 5 years was 50%.  I use that as inspiration.  But some women don't take that type of news well and they because depressed and basically give up.  Our oncs worry about us so they try to be very careful about the information they relay because they want us feeling positive and acting positive.  So I understand why the onc doesn't believe in percentages.

    So what are your percentages?  First off, they really can't be broken down to IIIb.  Stats are much broader than that.  They lump all stage III together.  And they also lump all the women together irrespective of treatment types (different chemo, different surgeries, different radiation).  They also lump together women who exercise, don't exercise, take their hormonal drugs daily, skip or stop their hormonal drugs, have weight issues, have no other health issues, have many other health issues, etc.  So to know your future who really have to look at YOU.  Calculators and studies just can't do that.

    I've looked at a lot of information trying to better refine my own stats.  I have to say, what Claire posted the other day, seems to me one of the most accurate stats we have as a stage III group.

    "For those diagnosed between 1995-2004, it was 74.1%"

    And that study group is from 7-16 years ago.  I'm sure that our survival rate has gone up since then.  And it still makes a big difference when you factor in your specific disease, health and attitude.

    Your tamoxifen makes a huge difference.  And when your done 4 years from now there will be more advances in research. 

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  • roseamy
    roseamy Member Posts: 29
    edited July 2011

    Hi,

    mamita49  i am stage 3b with no nodes due to skin involvement.

    polyana i was dx 2008 I was told I had a 70% chance of living another 10 years and my surgeon is very confident that all will be well, as of today I am ned for 2 years and doing fine.

    I did not have a period for 18 months then they came back. I was only 40,I have since had a bilat salpingooopherectomy due to 100% er+ pr+, so you may not be post menopausal yet. I was on tamox when they came back.

    good luck.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited July 2011

    Polyana,

    No one has a crystal ball.  Honestly, I can't believe I'm doing great!  Don't pay attentention to the statistics and try to live your life (I know that is hard!).  You are so young to be dealing with this, and I think you are doing a much better job than I would be.  You are courageous!

    Many Hugs

    Bobbie

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