Edwards Facing Personal, Political Battles

Uncertainty Surrounds Both Elizabeth Edwards' Prognosis And Her Husband's Campaign

(CBS/AP)  Once breast cancer returns to spread beyond the breast, it's no longer curable — but it can be held in check, sometimes for years, depending on how aggressive the tumor proves to be.

The average survival rate has been 2 1/2 to five years, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook reports. But doctors say the odds are improving, thanks to newer therapies that target the cancer with fewer side effects.

Doctors don't yet know exactly how widespread Elizabeth Edwards' returned cancer is, beyond a small but definite spot found in her right rib after she coincidentally broke a rib on the other side. Also being checked out is a suspicious spot in her lung.

"We can suppress it, we can even shrink it, but we can't eradicate it," said Dr. Lisa Carey, Edwards' oncologist.

But the key question when breast cancer turns metastatic — the doctor's ominous term for spreading cancer — is whether it is hormone-sensitive.

John Edwards revealed the closely guarded prognosis — even family friends and some senior campaign staff were unaware — at a news conference Thursday, his wife by his side in the hotel garden where they held their wedding reception 30 years ago.

Putting to rest speculation about his political future, Edwards told reporters: "The campaign goes on. The campaign goes on strongly."

The recurrence of the cancer — this time on Elizabeth Edwards' bone — presents a setback for the couple, both personally and politically. Elizabeth Edwards' illness and treatment is certain to affect her husband's presence in the early voting states and may raise questions about the viability of his campaign, especially with financial backers. The first fundraising deadline is fast approaching on March 31.

Her health problems already have impacted the campaign. Edwards had canceled a Tuesday evening house party in Iowa to go with his wife to a doctor's appointment.

No matter where breast cancer turns up in the body, if its growth is fueled by estrogen, women have a better chance of longer survival — and a shot at controlling the cancer with a battery of anti-estrogen drugs instead of needing harsher chemotherapy, at least right away.

Carey didn't reveal whether Edwards' cancer is this better "estrogen receptor-positive" form, saying that she was awaiting further test results before deciding on a treatment.

"It's hopefully and very likely treatable," said Dr. Julia Smith, head of the New York University Cancer Institutes' breast cancer prevention program. But, "it will limit her life ... The goal now is to give the least amount of therapy and least toxic therapy, and drag it out for as long as possible, so she can have the best quality of life as long as possible."

Almost 213,000 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and almost 41,000 will die, according to the American Cancer Society. When caught early, the vast majority survive with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, just as Edwards had in November 2004.

But about 20 percent of women thought to have been treated successfully at first nonetheless see their cancer return. How soon that happens, where it happens and how soon it's caught helps determines their prognosis.

There are few good estimates of survival time for these patients. But treatment is easiest if the recurrence is limited to the breast or surrounding lymph nodes. Survival is much shorter if the cancer spreads aggressively to vital organs like the liver, lungs or brain.

The bone seems to be somewhere in the middle. Indeed, a subset of patients with estrogen receptor-positive tumors that appear in only the bone have a good chance at surviving for 10 years, said NYU's Smith. "Unfortunately, we don't know who that group is in advance," she said.

Edwards' oncologist offered no survival predictions, either.

"I don't have a crystal ball about how she is going to do. I can tell you that many patients with exactly the circumstances that she has, do very well for a number of years," Carey said. "And the fact that she is a healthy person, and that there isn't a lot of the cancer, and that she doesn't have symptoms, all work in her favor."

Edwards' recurrence happened fairly early, just over two years after her initial diagnosis. But she said she blessed the broken rib that warranted the X-ray this week that in turn uncovered the cancer lurking nearby.

"I'm very lucky I cracked this rib," she said.

[greco99-2009]

Best wishes for Elizabeth.

I think the campaign will remain strong and focused. Both John and Elizabeth are very dedicated and motivated.

Keep in mind that two of the leading Republican candidates (Rudy and McCain) are cancer survivors and may not be in a much better situation than Elizabeth. Shame on those who would claim to speak for Elizabeth and say John should drop out.

Life threatening situations can be a source of strength, and many survivors want to live to the fullest in the time they have. And, she may yet live for many happy and productive years.

Most importantly, I think John Edwards will be one of the great American Presidents. And, he is the strongest Democratic candidate when matched against a Republican opponent.

John and Elizabeth Edwards you have my support and best wishes !

[greco99-2009]

The Republicans will continue with attacks like those you see here by billysmith(BS) and others.

Consider this: would you like Billy's choice of President to make the laws of the land. I bet he thinks that Bush is doing a heck of a job.

The intensity of the attacks against Edwards show how much he is feared by the right wing. The lack of substance of the attacks shows that their attacks are empty.

For all of the thoughtful newsreaders who see this...Support John Edwards (or any of the other Democratic candidates)...

[mcvet]

billysmith6, Most people on here are angry at you total lack of sensitivity and humanity. Me? I think your very sad. A sad human who's only way to gain any attention and self worth is to strike out at those who stand to change the sad little world you live in. It must be lonely in that dark room you live in and I know it's lonely living as you do but YOU not others choose that existence. Only YOU can change the way you strike out at anyone who dares differ with you. In YOUR mental state you need to seriously concider Counseling because your next step will be in conflict with armed Federal Agents.

[drinuk]

bobbysmith6, Cont. Upon reflection, I let you off a little light and the word Cretin is far too good for you. You are a sad, sick disfunctional B A S T A R D and I sincerely hope that during the next few months you get very invasive cancer deep up your A R S E .

[drinuk]

billysmith6, If you look out of your window right now you will see two little men in white coats, they are going to take you to a nice little hospital which is really secure. You may have to wear a funny back to front jacket but the food is free and fed to you. CRETIN

[missut2]

Scott4261, I agree completely that John and Elizabeth Edwards are indeed very decent people...their love for their children and each other are the REAL family values the Republicans can only wish for in their candidates. I wish them both the very best, and I pray that her treatment will bring the cancer under control.
You wonder sometimes why bad things happen to good people...

seven-pesos, I see that you, once again, have nothing intelligent to say in this discussion...why do you bother?

[scott4261]

I agree. Do any of these nutballs remember that Newt Gingrich served his wife divorce papers while she was in the hospital? THAT is a grade A example of hypocrisy!

[themartyred]

the fact that he IS standing by his wife and not divorcing her 2 years back like the charlatan GOP candidates they have running would have (and did to their wives) shows the great character of her and John and why we NEED them in America's White House!

GOD BLESS THEM!

[j0hnwi11iams]

If this were a "compassionate" conservative like Gingrich or Giulliani, Elizabeth would have already been met with divorce papers. Family values is so much lip service to these pigs.

[scott4261]

seven-pesos,

With grudging respect from a southern liberal, I share your sentiments about Bush. But you know nothing about the real South! Blow it out your a s s!

[scott4261]

GunOwnerDan,

You're right. And BTW, I don't know if you've seen my past posts to you, but if more Americans were familiar with the U.S. Constitution and particularly the Bill of Rights, we would be much better off as a country. Indeed, we may not even have this moron of a president now.

[seven-pesos]

after all the bad ***** that bush has done to america,

they still love bush in the south.

you won't find a single statue of our greatest american president (abraham lincoln) in the southern slave states...

but you'll find monuments to bush in every southern state.

rednecks, white trash, war makers, republican christian snakes...

nothing good comes out of the south!

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have the right to make their own decisions about his campaign. It will be difficult but it may also be a distraction for both him and her in the coming months, and certainly they have the resources to offer Elizabeth the very best of care. I respect John Edwards. He has been my first choice all along among the candidates. His unequivocal stances have impressed me.

[scott4261]

l8c6, judging from the nutcases I've seen here today, that's a legitimate concern.

[gunownerdan]

So far, John Edwards is the best hope the democrats have.
Good luck to John and Elizabeth and I am glad they have the strength and the will to continue the Edwards presidential campaign.
Let's not forget about Ron Paul as well!

[lizardbate]

Goodluck Ms. Edwards!!!! You are a very brave women and you have my utmost respect. Mr. Edwards, you have only one wife and there are more elections to come. If you adore your wife as much as I do mine-------Spend every precious minute with her, you don't have the time to waste. Politics is not worth the sacrifice you are going to make!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You don't need the money, nor the power, but you do need the time with your wife!!!!!!!!!!

[l8c6]

Scott4261, hopefully no right wing sociopath assassinates him.

[abigail70]

My heart and prayers are with them. I hate to see anyone go through that, regardless.

[scott4261]

I have this sinking feeling about John Edwards campaign. I hope I'm wrong. I view him as our best hope. But if he does choose not to run, I know that he will continue to be a voice for the poor. Not only is this one of the most important issues of our time, but addressing it is vital to the health of our nation. Not since Bobby Kennedy's run for the presidency in 1968 have I seen a candidate with as much genuine interest in the issue of poverty as I see in Edwards. Since that is an issue I'm very passionate about, he has gained my support. I will be praying for him and Elizabeth and I wish them Godspeed and good health.