5 Curable Cancers
5 Curable Cancers
People alive 5 years after a diagnosis: 91.5%
What makes the chances of recovery good? You can usually spot melanomaskin cancer with the naked eye while it is still in its early stages. If it hasn't spread beyond the surface of the skin, doctors can remove and cure it with surgery.
When is a cure less likely? If you don't catch it early, melanoma is much more likely than other skin cancers to spread to other body parts. Once it goes beyond the skin's surface, it’s hard to treat. Only 15%-20% of people who find melanomas after they've spread to other body parts will still be alive 5 years after their diagnosis.
Does screening help? Yes. You can check your skin for large, dark, oddly shaped, or raised blotches. It's especially important to check your back and your scalp, scrotum, and in between your toes. It's harder to see melanomas in these places. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any of these changes. He can tell you if the spot is normal or not. Get screened regularly by a dermatologist if you have a higher risk for melanoma, like if you've had it before or it runs in your family.
People alive 5 years after a diagnosis: early stages of 0 and 1 - 100%
What makes the chances of recovery good? Modern medicine has made great strides against breast cancer. Doctors today know more about how to find and treat it. We also understand the condition much better than ever before. For instance, we now know that breast cancer is not one disease but many. Researchers have come up with different medications to treat specific types.
When is a cure less likely?Breast cancer caught early is easier to treat and cure than after it starts to spread. Some types of the disease are also more treatable than others. For example, a breast tumor that is "estrogen receptor positive" will benefit from drugs that lower estrogen levels. On the other hand, "triple negative" breast cancers tend to be more aggressive and don't benefit from targeted treatments.
Does screening help? Yes. Studies have found that regular mammograms can help you live longer. But medical groups have different guidelines on when you should get them. Some recommend screening tests every other year starting at age 50 if you have a normal risk for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening tests starting at age 45.
5 Curable Cancers
In this article
Melanoma
People alive 5 years after a diagnosis: 91.5%
What makes the chances of recovery good? You can usually spot melanomaskin cancer with the naked eye while it is still in its early stages. If it hasn't spread beyond the surface of the skin, doctors can remove and cure it with surgery.
When is a cure less likely? If you don't catch it early, melanoma is much more likely than other skin cancers to spread to other body parts. Once it goes beyond the skin's surface, it’s hard to treat. Only 15%-20% of people who find melanomas after they've spread to other body parts will still be alive 5 years after their diagnosis.
Does screening help? Yes. You can check your skin for large, dark, oddly shaped, or raised blotches. It's especially important to check your back and your scalp, scrotum, and in between your toes. It's harder to see melanomas in these places. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any of these changes. He can tell you if the spot is normal or not. Get screened regularly by a dermatologist if you have a higher risk for melanoma, like if you've had it before or it runs in your family.
Breast Cancer
People alive 5 years after a diagnosis: early stages of 0 and 1 - 100%
What makes the chances of recovery good? Modern medicine has made great strides against breast cancer. Doctors today know more about how to find and treat it. We also understand the condition much better than ever before. For instance, we now know that breast cancer is not one disease but many. Researchers have come up with different medications to treat specific types.
When is a cure less likely?Breast cancer caught early is easier to treat and cure than after it starts to spread. Some types of the disease are also more treatable than others. For example, a breast tumor that is "estrogen receptor positive" will benefit from drugs that lower estrogen levels. On the other hand, "triple negative" breast cancers tend to be more aggressive and don't benefit from targeted treatments.
Does screening help? Yes. Studies have found that regular mammograms can help you live longer. But medical groups have different guidelines on when you should get them. Some recommend screening tests every other year starting at age 50 if you have a normal risk for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening tests starting at age 45.
