Diagnosed with stage 3A? What are my chances of complete cure?

Hmm re: "cure" - my oncologist, who is chair of oncology at a world renowned research and teaching hospital, told me on day of dx that if I had a complete response to neoadjuvent chemo, he would be more than comfortable using the word "cure" about my cancer.

Sadly for me, this did not happen, not even close. He now tells me I am "still potentially curable" but that it is also quite possible there are circulating tumor cells left in my body that are too small to see on a scan. Our goal is to use other types of treatment (rads, hormone blockers, and Xeloda) to prevent these cells from ever "settling" and growing in my bones or organs. Barring that, my goal is to at least forestall progression for many years until there are more effective treatments available. I am 31 and my wish is to make it to age 45 without mets.

I believe that for women who had BC at some point but don't die of Stage IV disease, they were cured. There are many women like that. I think it is less likely for Stage 3, and still less for 3c like myself, but some stories on here do make me feel more hopeful that I could be lucky.

My grandmother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer back in the early 1950s at the age of 41. She had at least 4 lymph nodes involved. She had a radical mastectomy plus radiation and left her other breast. These were the days before chemo, let alone hormone therapy, yet her breast cancer never came back. She died over 35 years later in her 70s of something totally unrelated. So yes, you can survive a stage 3 cancer diagnosis!

It just goes to show how different we all are. We just don't know if we will be one of the lucky ones or not, even with the best diet/exercise, etc we do.

Thanks to everyone that posted a reply to this post. I had the same question, and your posts are reassuring. I have got my first apt with my onc today to find out about what chemo I'll be doing.