Can breast cancer be cured?

May 24, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My wife is 42 years old. During a recent physical examination, she was found to have a breast nodule, and further tests confirmed an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. Our entire family is very anxious, worrying about the treatment outcomes and prognosis. I would like to ask, is breast cancer curable?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Dapeng

The cure rate of breast cancer is closely related to the stage of the disease. The cure rate for early-stage breast cancer is relatively high; however, if the disease progresses to intermediate or advanced stages, the cure rate decreases, although standardized treatment can still prolong survival. A detailed analysis is as follows:

In early-stage breast cancer, the tumor is small and there is no lymph node or distant metastasis. Effective removal of cancer cells can be achieved through surgical resection combined with adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy, resulting in a low risk of recurrence. In intermediate and advanced stages, the cancer may have invaded surrounding tissues or metastasized, requiring combined treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and endocrine therapy. However, the difficulty of curing increases, and long-term follow-up is necessary.

For early-stage breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy is prioritized, while for intermediate and advanced stages, neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be required to shrink the tumor before surgery. Treatment options including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, or endocrine therapy should be selected based on pathological type.

During the first five years after surgery, follow-up examinations should be conducted every 3-6 months, including breast ultrasound, mammography, tumor markers, etc., to detect recurrence or metastasis promptly. During treatment, it is recommended to maintain a healthy diet, engage in moderate exercise, avoid staying up late, and reduce psychological stress, all of which help enhance immunity.

Early-stage breast cancer has a high cure rate, but strict adherence to medical advice is essential. If symptoms such as breast lumps, nipple discharge, or skin changes resembling an orange peel occur, prompt medical attention is advised.