Remission

Good question so I Googeled it to find the answers.
Remission is NOT cured but a point where they can find nothing exciting happening in your body so the ONCs get bored and say that you are in remission.
Bill S

Remission and NED (no evidence of disease) basically mean the same... Currently available scientific/medical technology cannot specifically detect (via various testing methods) the disease - cancer and others.

It is the best we can hope for. Although some prefer "cured" - technically, "cured" is incorrect. Unless, of course, a BC survivor can somehow achieve 0% risk of recurrence. I don't know that this is yet possible in today's world - no matter what. Hopefully some day... And the sooner, the better.

When? is a tricky question. Probably totally depends on the individual patient: diagnosis, type of BC, stage, etc. and her (or his) treatments. My own med onc did not declare me NED until about a year or two after I had completed lumpectomy/chemo/rads. However, I began my journey with a very high risk of recurrence - and within 3 years, not the "standard" 5 often discussed. Therefore, this question would be best answered by your own doctor.

Kind regards, Susan

P.S. to Bill: How the heck are ya, dude? Good to see you around here again. And certainly hope you're doing well.

Kat
I asked my onc. if I was in remission. He told me that seeing as the cancer was all in my breast and didn't spread anywhere else and they took my breast I was in essence, cancer free. I don't need rads. or chemo, just tamoxifen for 5 years. "Does that mean I'm cured?" Who knows.

My radiation oncologist, medical oncologist and surgeon have just declared me to be "in remission." This is after having a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation finishing all treatment the beginning of November, 2009..two months ago.....This means, at this time, there is no evidence of cancer...And for that I am grateful! That's the best we can hope for at this time, and I'll take it!

Peace to all