Cancer Survival Rate
When a person is diagnosed with cancer, the first questions that come to mind are “What are my chances of surviving this cancer?” and “How Long Can I Live?” One of the tools used to answer these questions is the cancer survival rate.
As the Mayo Clinic states on its website, the doctor cannot predict the future after the diagnosis of this pathology, but can make an estimate based on the experiences of other patients who have already suffered from cancer.
What is the cancer survival rate?
Cancer survival rate is a medical statistical analysis that estimates the probability of survival of a person diagnosed with cancer. Usually, the survival rate is calculated 1, 2 and 5 years after the cancer is diagnosed.
It is an analysis that tries to estimate how many people who are diagnosed with cancer manage to survive for a certain period of time. It is important to note that this estimate should not be confused with the disease survival rate or progression rate. These statistics are presented together with the survival rate, but do not provide the same information. It is a detail that all patients must take into account in order not to make misinterpretations.
How is the cancer survival rate calculated?
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What is the cancer survival rate used for?
Survival rate computers
There are currently tools designed to simplify this information for patients and healthcare professionals. For example, there are various survival computers available online. The person in question can enter the data corresponding to the diagnosis and will automatically obtain the survival rate. These resources are generally available in English.
In Romanian, survival estimates are available in the form of scientific studies, websites of institutions dedicated to the subject and specialized books.
What should be clear to us about this issue?
Estimated cancer survival rates are valuable information for both physicians and patients diagnosed with this disease. Such information is not the same as the rate of progression. Although they are presented together, they refer to different things.
On the other hand, it must be borne in mind that survival data are also crucial for treatment decisions. In many cases, the chances of survival are not justified by the costs and side effects of treatment.
