In a recent appeal, the Young Survival Coalition published a 10-year survival rate statistic that we later learned was inaccurate. In an effort to provide the latest available 10-year survival rates for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, we asked a member of our Medical Advisory Board, W. Archie Bleyer, M.D., to provide us with updated statistics from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. SEER is a comprehensive source of U.S. population-based information that includes patient survival data based on stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. Dr. Bleyer is Mosbacher Chair Emeritus and Professor of Pediatrics at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas and Director of the M.D. Anderson Community Clinical Oncology Program.
The latest available 10-year survival statistics are based on treatments through 1993. For those diagnosed between age 25 and 30, the 10-year survival rate is 60%; for those between age 30 and 35, the 10-year survival rate is 65%; for those between 35 and 40, the 10-year survival rate is 70%; and for those diagnosed between age 40 and 45, the 10-year survival rate is 77%.1 See the graph below.
The YSC uses survival statistics to encourage more research, to motivate individuals to get involved, to educate and influence clinicians and researchers and to make a wide array of individuals aware of the plight our population faces. While these survival statistics hold value for understanding our population as a whole, statistics do not reflect the reality for each individual young woman diagnosed with breast cancer. Further, survival statistics are based on older treatments, and, as is apparent from the slide above, breast cancer survival rates have increased — with few exceptions — as breast cancer treatment has improved. Therefore, reading a statistic about survival from data gathered over 10 years ago may underestimate survival for the overall population receiving treatment today.
We present these statistics with the best information available to us at present and continue to encourage the medical and research community to study young women diagnosed with breast cancer, so that we all have accurate and current information. The need for more attention and studies on our underserved population is vital. The Young Survival Coalition is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of life for all young women diagnosed with breast cancer. As the only international nonprofit organization dedicated to the concerns and issues unique to young women and breast cancer, the YSC seeks to educate the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities and persuade them to address breast cancer in women 40 and under. Finally, the YSC serves as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer. To see additional statistics about young women and breast cancer, visit our statistics page.
Should you have questions on this information, please contact the ResourceLink at ResourceLink@youngsurvival.org or 877-YSC-1011.
1 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (www.seer.cancer.gov ) data analyzed by W. A. Bleyer, M.D., using Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute SEER*Stat software version 6.3.5 (www.seer.cancer.gov/seerstat) and SEER*Stat Database: Incidence - SEER 17 Regs Public-Use, Nov 2005 Sub (1973-2003 varying) - Linked To County Attributes - Total U.S., 1969-2003 Counties, National Cancer Institute, DCCPS, Surveillance Research Program, Cancer Statistics Branch, released April 2007, based on the November 2006 submission.
