Cancer survival rates vary, usually depending on the type of cancer. For instance, the overall five-year survival rate of those with bladder cancer is 78 percent while it’s 56 percent for those with early stage lung cancer. These figures simply mean that out of a 100, 78 of those with bladder cancer and 56 of those with early stage lung cancer are living five years after the diagnosis.
Factors Affecting the Survival Rate
Many of those who are diagnosed with cancer are concerned with what their future holds. This is what prognosis is all about. It gives one an idea of the likely course and outcome of the disease (i.e. the chance of recovering from or recurrence of cancer).
There are several factors that can affect prognosis. Some of these include:
- Type and location of cancer
- Stage (extent of spread) and grade (how abnormal the cells look and how likely they are to spread) of the disease
- Certain traits of cancer cells
- Age and general health status before the diagnosis
- Response to treatment
How Early Diagnosis Can Affect the Prognosis
If the cancer has already spread, it can be more difficult to treat, however, cancer that’s diagnosed at an early stage is more likely to be treated successfully. This is why early diagnosis is so important.
Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Cancer signs and symptoms could vary. However, if you notice unusual changes in your appearance (e.g. occurrence of lumps, unexplained weight loss, presence of unusual skin nodule) or body functioning (e.g. changes in elimination), it’s best to schedule an appointment with your doctor because early detection is key.
If diagnosed with cancer, Premier Surgical oncologists are ready to help every step of the way. Over the decades, our surgical oncologists have helped many cancer patients. We are proud to have treated thousands of these brave people in Tennessee.