Although breast cancer treatments are constantly evolving—and with them, survival rates—doctors have established standards so that they know where they stand clinically when they have to inform a patient about a diagnosis.

Breast cancer survival rates compare the survival of women with this cancer to that of women in the general population at five years. They are based on the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.

According to the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) stages, the American Cancer Society and other sources say that the percentages are based on the following:

Localized. This means that the cancer is confined to the breast. The 5‑year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer is over 99%.

Regional. This means that the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other tissues. The 5‑year relative survival rate for regional breast cancer is around 87%.

Distant. This means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis. The 5‑year relative survival rate for distant breast cancer is approximately 32%.

Women receiving a breast cancer diagnosis now may have a better prognosis than what these numbers show. Treatments improve over time, and these numbers are based on women diagnosed at least five years ago.

These numbers apply only to the cancer stage when it is first diagnosed. They do not take into account what happens later (if the cancer grows, spreads, or comes back after treatment).

Another important thing to bear in mind is that these percentages do not take into account other factors involved in breast cancer development. Survival rates are grouped based on how much the cancer has spread, but the prognosis can be affected by age, general health, the cancer’s response to treatment, tumor grade, the presence of hormone receptors on the cancer cells, and other factors.

Survival rates for women with triple‑negative breast cancer or inflammatory breast cancer are different than those mentioned above.

Make sure to discuss these numbers with your healthcare provider. Everything surrounding a breast cancer diagnosis should be considered individually.