Staging is the process of determining to what extent a tumor has spread within the body. Staging takes place after breast cancer has been diagnosed. Breast cancer is staged from 0 to 4, depending upon how far it has spread. Both the stage and type of breast cancer are important to determine the best treatment plan.
Survival Rates for Breast Cancer
Survival in breast cancer depends upon the extent of spread, of stage. Cancers that are found early are often localized to the breast. According to the American Cancer Society, women with early stage (stage 1) breast cancer have a 5-year survival rate of 100%. Women with cancer that has spread to distant sites in the body (stage 4) have only a 20% chance of surviving in 5 years, but this rate can improve as advances are made in treatment.