“It’s not a death sentence.” The day I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I clearly remember hearing the doctor say those words amid the fog of jumbled messages about surgery, chemotherapy, disability leave, and more. Today, I continue my Breast Cancer Awareness Month series with a look at breast cancer survival stats and trends, and why we have good reason to be optimistic.

This post was originally published in October 2021 and updated in November 2024.

We’ve come a long way

When I was younger, breast cancer—and most other forms of cancer—were often a death sentence. Even today, it’s hard not to immediately think the worst when you hear the words “you have cancer”. But here I am, 10 years older and wiser, living proof that life does indeed go on after a cancer diagnosis.

Some other wise words from the surgeon I remember emerging from the fog that was my brain at the time “The next few months to a year will be tough. And then you’ll carry on and it will be like a blip on the radar.” She was right, although it was a mighty big blip that I still feel the effects of to this day and probably will for the rest of my life.  

Celebrating my 10-year “cancerversary” earlier this year prompted me to look at the breast cancer survival stats and how much progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer.

Before I continue, I acknowledge that, although we’ve seen a positive trend in breast cancer survival stats over time, cancer is unpredictable. Outcomes vary. Even the best prognosis can turn out to be no match for the beast that is breast cancer. On the other hand, miracles happen and people with a poor prognosis end up in remission, and sometimes even cured.

How much progress has been made?

Thanks to research and advances in treatment many people live long, healthy lives after hearing those dreaded words. During the pandemic, we’ve heard too many people bashing “big pharma” and their profits. But don’t ignore that those pharmaceutical companies spend billions funding research that has saved lives and given hope to many. Many cancer survivors owe their lives to new drugs and advances in treatment.

Advancements aside, the Canadian Cancer Society reports breast cancer is still the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Canadian women, and it’s the second leading cause of death from cancer among Canadian women. 1 in 8 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. And, although male breast cancer is rare, we can’t ignore that it does happen.

And globally, according to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is now the most common cancer globally, accounting for 12% of all cancer diagnoses worldwide.

But, despite increasing numbers, there is much cause for optimism. In Canada, the 5-year survival rate following a breast cancer diagnosis is 89%, and the death rate peaked in 1986 and has been declining ever since. U.S. data shows survival rates have increased from 75% in 1975 to 91.2% in 2020. That’s a huge jump!

The same U.S. data shows that while the number of breast cancer cases has increased over time, the number of deaths has decreased. More reason to be optimistic.

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Early detection is key

Early detection is the best way to increase the chance of survival. In Canada, for stage 0 and 1 breast cancers, the survival rate is 100%. For stage 2, it’s 93%. As you get to stage 3 and 4, breast cancer survival rates decrease to 72% and 22%. That’s why education, screening and early detection are critical.

I discovered my cancer during a random breast self examination. It saved my life. Even though the cancer was aggressive and had spread to my lymph nodes, here I am 10 years later. The point is, the earlier we discover breast cancer, the more treatable and curable it is. So do those breast self-examinations and book your mammograms. Your life could depend on it!

Do any of these breast cancer survival statistics surprise you? Join the conversation below.