New national data shows that survival for people with breast cancer has improved significantly over the past several decades. Rising survival rates reflect advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

According to the American Cancer Society’s latest cancer statistics, the five-year relative survival rate for female breast cancer has risen steadily, reaching 92 percent for those diagnosed in recent years. This means 92 percent of people with breast cancer are still alive five years after diagnosis. That’s a significant increase compared with the mid-1970s, when the five-year survival rate was 75 percent, and the mid-1990s, when the rate was 87 percent.

These gains mean that today, many people with breast cancer are living longer than ever before. For those diagnosed at an early stage, long-term survival is now the norm.

Why Survival Has Improved

Health experts point to a combination of earlier detection and advances in treatment as key reasons for improving breast cancer survival. Widespread use of screening has helped identify cancers at earlier stages, when treatment is more likely to be effective. At the same time, ongoing improvements in cancer care have contributed to declining death rates over time.

Learn more about treatment options for breast cancer.

Survival Depends on Many Factors, Including Stage

While overall survival for breast cancer is high, outcomes still vary widely depending on the stage at diagnosis. National data shows that survival has improved over time at every stage of breast cancer, though challenges remain for people diagnosed with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread).

For localized breast cancer (cancer that has not spread beyond the breast), the five-year survival rates over time have been:

• 1975 to 1977 — 90 percent
• 1995 to 1997 — 98 percent
• 2015 to 2021 — More than 99 percent

For regional breast cancer (cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes or surrounding tissue):

• 1975 to 1977 — 67 percent
• 1995 to 1997 — 80 percent
• 2015 to 2021 — 87 percent

For distant (metastatic) breast cancer (cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body):

• 1975 to 1977 — 19 percent
• 1995 to 1997 — 24 percent
• 2015 to 2021 — 33 percent

These statistics describe outcomes for large groups of people and can’t predict what will happen for any one individual. Other factors, such as details about a person’s cancer cells and their response to treatment, overall health, and access to care, all play an important role in prognosis (outlook).

Learn more about factors that affect breast cancer prognosis.

What This Means for People Living With Breast Cancer

If you’re living with breast cancer, these survival trends may offer reassurance that treatment options and outcomes are improving over time. Still, decisions about screening, treatment, and follow-up care are personal and should be made with a healthcare provider who understands your specific situation.

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