Doctors: Over 50% of Breast Cancer Recurrences Occur After 5 Years of Treatment – Early Prevention Urged

(Taipei, June 16, Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao) Breast cancer remains the leading cause of death among women, claiming nearly 3,000 lives annually. Medical experts warn that over 70% of cases are early-stage hormone-positive breast cancer, and while many believe surviving five years means 'graduating' from cancer, real-world data shows up to 50% of recurrences occur after five years of treatment, calling for early intervention.

Breast cancer is the top health threat to women in Taiwan. The Taiwan Breast Medicine Society held a public education press conference today, emphasizing that preventing recurrence in early-stage breast cancer is as urgent as emergency medical care—every second counts.

Dr. Chen Fang-ming, President of the Taiwan Breast Medicine Society, noted that breast cancer in Taiwan typically strikes between the ages of 45 and 65, younger than in Western countries. Nearly 3,000 people die from it each year, with over 70% being early-stage hormone-positive cases.

Preventing recurrence, Dr. Chen said, would directly support President Lai Qing-de's goal of reducing cancer mortality by one-third by 2030. 'Saving just 1,000 lives annually could spare thousands of families from devastation and safeguard Taiwan's vital workforce,' he said, calling this a health defense line that 'we cannot afford to ignore today, or we will regret tomorrow.'

Standard treatment for early-stage hormone-positive breast cancer involves 5 to 10 years of hormonal therapy after surgery or chemo-radiation. However, many patients hold the misconception that 'surviving five years means cancer-free.' Yet data shows up to 50% of recurrences happen after the fifth year, creating a significant 'long-tail recurrence' risk.

Dr. Kuo Wen-ling, Director of the Breast Medicine Center at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained that hormone-positive breast cancer grows slowly but cancer cells can enter a 'dormant state' to evade standard therapies, reactivating when conditions are favorable. Studies show that even early-stage patients without lymph node involvement face a 1-in-5 chance of recurrence.

A 43-year-old Ms. Wang is one such case. She sought medical help due to mild breast pain and asymmetry, only to receive a devastating diagnosis after a biopsy. Despite completing surgery and radiation, she lived in constant fear of recurrence—until she joined an international clinical trial for enhanced adjuvant therapy, recommended by her medical team, finally regaining peace of mind.

To combat recurrence, Dr. Kuo emphasized that the first three years post-surgery are the golden window to shift from defense to offense. Clinically, two CDK4/6 inhibitors—cell cycle inhibitors—have been proven effective in enhanced adjuvant therapy for early hormone-positive breast cancer, working synergistically with standard hormonal treatments. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150616