Introduction: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women worldwide and in Sri Lanka. Early detection and improvements in therapy will help to improve the survival of breast cancer patients. Data on the survival of patients treated for breast cancer are limited in Sri Lanka.

Objective:  To determine the survivorship of breast cancer patients treated at Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle from 2004 to 2008

Methods: A retrospective study was done among 590 female breast cancer patients who were registered at the oncology clinic of Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle from 2004 to 2008 and followed up till 31st December 2012. Patient details were extracted from oncology clinic records. The patients who have stopped clinic visits were contacted via telephone or a letter to determine their current status. Survival analysis was done by Kaplan Meier curves and Cox’s proportional hazards model.

Results: The mean survival time was 56.3 months (SD=31.67) and the median survival time was 62 months. The commonest age group presenting with breast cancer was between 45-54 years. Tumor status, nodal status, presence of metastases, Nottingham grade, and status of treatment were significant (P<0.001) independent predictors of survival. Nodal status, presence of metastases, Nottingham grade, and treatment status were significant predictors of survival after controlling for other variables.

Conclusion: Nodal status, the onset of metastases, Nottingham grade, and treatment status were significant predictors of survival in breast cancer patients.

Key Words: Survival, Breast Cancer, Sri Lanka