How many cancer survivors are out there past 5 years?

Dale, I have lived well for 9 years and 9 months. I started my journey 1/19/2016. I've had ups and downs, but I focus on the ups and put the downs behind me. When I was first diagnosed, I told my oncologist that I wanted 10 years. She said she couldn't promise me 10 years. At 5 years, she thought I would make it to 10 years. On my 10 year anniversary, I'm going to tell her I want another 10 years. That may be unrealistic, I had bone lesions in too many bones to count, originally. Now, I have lesions in my bones, lung, liver and kidney. I've finished all CDK4/6 with AIs I am doing infusion chemo. I feel better than I did on some of the others.

Dear Dale, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer originally in 2011. That’s over 14 years ago! I’ve had challenges. Sometimes have been easier than others. Basically I live on research edge. But new options have come up each time. Although I have a local cancer center to administer treatments, I still go to Danafarber every 3 months. Going to one of the top 5 centers has been pivotal for me. They see people like me so much more so they have greater depth of experience. For example at my local cancer center my oncologist, who I really like, has 2 metastatic patients in the treatment I’m in right now. That doesn’t give a lot of room to know the subtleties of response we can do. At Danafarber they see people like me so much more. So their support is so much more nuanced. I think that’s helped me get to 14 1/2 years of metastatic cancer. I’m not going anywhere for a while! I’m going to keep focusing on handling this as the world’s nastiest chronic disease and continuing on living!

I was diagnosed in July of 2019. I had 3 spots on my spine which they cored out. My breast tumor was 5 cm long and wide also, they took 2 thirds of my breast, and 4 lymph nodes. They started chemo right away, did that for a year,then surgery, when the surgery healed enough I did 6 weeks of radiation 5 days a week. Thank the powers that be, they got it all and it hadn't come back.

2015

In 2015, diagnosed with triple negative hers stage 2, 3 I think , breast cancer. Had 14 out of 16 chemo infusions before my side effects caused Drs to stop chemo and proceed on to lumpectomy.anf finally finished the year with radiation 5days, 6weeks . .10 years, cancer free !! Wait a minute . A year ago, breast started inverting. Thought an infection. . They want to do chemo again . I don't think I should until it gets worse. I have a lesion on hip that they drilled into 8 holes for none biopsy. Then of course the PET scan 3 weeks later will look as if spreading fast . My lymphedema is the worst symptom . Chemo won't do anything except make my hair fall out and fuck me up worse . Thru won't just do surgery with out chemo first . .

I am on year 8

Diagnosed 1/2020 still here. Mets to brain, had game knife and then LITT Brain surgery in 2021. I feel like I live on a ship in the high seas. Walking is difficult, my vision is getting worse daily but the immunotherapy I get now doesn't make me as sick as the chemo. My hair is back. They say I'm doing great but I'm in bed on my phone most days with a trip to the casino once a week. I'm alive but question if I'm actually living my best life. I got a trachiostomy 1.5 years ago so I can breathe better and I've gained my weight back. I'm grateful to be here, I live with my daughter and two grand girls, I'm 61 and continuing like this is better than not being here.

Cancer survival statistics show that millions of people are living full lives well beyond the five-year mark, with advances in treatment continuing to improve long-term outcomes for many cancer types. It's encouraging to connect with others who share similar experiences and milestones in their cancer journey - this community is a great place to hear from fellow survivors at all stages.

Hi Dale my name is Mary. I started my cancer journey in2013. It was breast cancer stage 4. I had a double mastectomy even though my right one was clear. But I thought as long as I had to do one the other might as well go. Than I went to chemo for 4 treatments and after that I had radiation for 6 weeks. I was lucky enough that I went 8 yrs. Clear. I also went tumor markers and pet- scans to keep check on it. Finally towards the end of the 8th yr. I went to have a pet-scan and showed a tumor on my spine and bone cancer. So that took a bite to get use to cause of thinking here we go again. I went for a biposy and it was cancer. So my Dr. started me on pill after pill and the marker kept going up. So now 4 yrs. later here I am back in chemo. This one is supposed to kill the cancer cells .i look at this way it put me in remission before hopefully it will do it again. Now I go for infusions every 3 weeks and of course I’m miserable. I’m also 13 yrs. older. So that’s my story. I guess we’re all fighting for the same thing to be strong and well. Please keep in touch and let me know how u’re doing. Mary

A warm hello! I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Er/her2+. I now have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. A mutation from breast cancer in liver. Er+ her2 -. Treatment is kisquali&fulvestrant shots. My numbers are good and I am still here. I am the healthiest cancer patient and doing well on the meds. A lot of side effects have gone away. I do have periodic mouth sores and severe dry mouth. I currently have a painful bone sticking through the gum probably due to lack of blood flow. So weird. Thin hair. I am very blessed and walk 4 times a week. I can go out for about 4 hours then I rest. Staying in bed at times feels so good. Most of the time I feel great. Hope this helps someone.