Some women have specific problems after surgery. Because the axilla is operated on, the normal drainage of lymphatic fluid from the arm can be disrupted. Swelling of the arm can occur in some women, although this particular side-effect has decreased considerably since less extensive operations became more popular. Also, the nerves to the arm may be affected, which can cause some abnormal sensation to the skin around the armpit.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, the muscles to the arm may be damaged, leading to some change in function. More commonly, though, the problem is a stiff shoulder, due to lack of movement following the operation, and this can gradually recover. After a mastectomy it is important that a woman has information about possible problems and ways of preventing complications. Physiotherapy and exercise can be helpful in avoiding them.
Success rates. Earlier detection of breast cancer and the newer methods of treatment seem to be associated with improved survival rates from this disease, but we may not see great improvements in the statistics for breast cancer for several years.
The overall five-year survival rate from breast cancer in Australia is about 70 per cent. Like most cancers, survival rates vary with the stage the disease is at when treatment is started. For example, a woman who has a tumour of less than 2 centimetres, and no evidence of spread beyond the breast, has a five-year survival rate of around 90 per cent.
Breast cancer can unfortunately sometimes recur, often years after initial treatment. Distant or local spread may suddenly become apparent even thirty years after initial treatment, which makes it difficult to give women the ‘all clear’. It is impossible to predict who will have a late recurrence, but a small chance usually remains. This chance is less if the disease is detected and treated earlier.
Women who are being treated for breast cancer will be given more information about their own chances of cure and recurrence, based on their individual circumstances.
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