2022 IB Diploma Extended Essays

Figure 1

The relationship between stage of diagnosis and 5-year survival rate

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20 5-year survival rate (%)

10

0

1

2

3

4

Stage of Cancer

Percentage

Linear (Percentage )

(Cancer Research UK, n.d.)

As demonstrated by the diagram, the survival rate from stage 3 cancer to stage 4 cancer drops

by 45%, from roughly 70% to 25%. This is because as the stage of cancer progresses, there is

a higher chance of the cancer spreading which can potentially deem the cancer terminal

(when the cancer can no longer be fully treatable but may be controlled) (Kandola, 2021).

Consequently, it is evident that the shift from early-stage to stage 3, or stage 4 cancer can be

detrimental to the health of many individuals which are impacted by the delay in

mammogram screening services – proving that there is a very strong correlation between

early diagnosis and survival rate among cancer patients.

My research question is relevant to the importance of early diagnosis, as impact on the lives

of individuals with undiagnosed breast cancer is significant when discussing the effectiveness

11