Lung Cancer Survival Rate

Understanding all the figures about the Lung Cancer Survival Rate is not simple. You have to understand how these figures are put together and what exactly they represent. There are factors that influence how these rates are determined and what you see in the rates may not be exactly what think.

The Basics

Lung Cancer Survival Rate statements refer to a group of people suffering from one specific type of lung cancer, at a certain stage. Survival statistics may also indicate rates for people suffering from lung cancer at any stage of the disease. Usually the survival statistics relate to the survival rate after 5 years, no matter if the person still has cancer or is in remission.

It is important that you understand these statistics are based upon a large group and are averages. They can predict what the survival rate will be for any particular person, as every case is different.

Survival Rate Factors

As mentioned, there are many things that influence Lung Cancer Survival Rate statistics. Some of the factors that can alter survival rates area :

the stage
the type
symptoms present
general health conditions
diagnosis date

When a doctor gives a patient information on the possible outcome of their diagnosis, it is based upon a general idea of what happens in the average case. It is really an estimate and not an exact science.

The Average Survival Rate

The average Lung Cancer Survival Rate for those diagnosed with early stage lung cancer is 49%. This means that 49 out of 100 people live for at least 5 years after diagnosis. On the other hand, people diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread have only a 3% survival rate or only 3 out of 100 people live at least 5 years after diagnosis.

Using Survival Rates

Now that you understand what Lung Cancer Survival Rate statistics means you can begin to understand how they may be used. The most common use is to help patients understand what lies ahead for them in dealing with the disease and the possibility of their death.

Another, more positive, use is in figuring out how aggressive to be with treatment. Statistics can help a doctor see what treatments are working which are not. They may be able to help the doctor to create a treatment plan that will raise the patients chances of survival. Overall, these statistics are very helpful.

While they are not 100% accurate, they can be a way to help change how successful lung cancer treatment is. They can bring about hope that one day a cure may be found and that this type of cancer may no longer be seen as such a deadly form of the disease.

Just thought you may be interested in reading this guide: lung cancer stages

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