Improved survival for breast cancer sufferers
The five-year-survival rate of breast cancer patients in Shanghai Cancer Center has been rising for 15 years, the hospital announced on International Women’s Day on Sunday.
Currently, the rate is 92.5 percent with 83 percent of patients surviving for 10 years, in line with the developed countries.
“Proper and regular diagnosis and treatment in the first instance is extremely important for patients’ survival and quality of life,” said Shao Zhimin, director of the hospital’s surgery department.
“The five-year survival rate was only 78 percent in Shanghai in 1990s, while it is over 90 percent in my hospital, as many patients receive appropriate treatment from the begining of medical treatment.”
“The reasons why the five-year survival keeps rising are because more patients are found in the early stages through regular and early screening and the adoption of individualized treatment based on each patient’s molecular classification for more precise and accurate treatment,” Shao said.
To further improve treatment effects and efficiency, a comprehensive team consisting of surgery, inner medicine, radiation departments receives patients needing surgery, chemotherapy or radiation in the hospital. Beds are allocated among the departments freely in line with number of patients for more effective use of resources.
Patients are also given chances for more clinical trials.
Dr Shao Zhimin from Shanghai Cancer Center is in breast cancer surgery.
Dr Shao Zhimin discusses a patient's condition with his colleagues.
