The figures for survival rate in the stage 4 lung cancer are quite low, and this is extremely disheartening. Sadly, there is no cure for it once a person reaches this advanced stage, but the good news is that it is very much treatable.
To accurately determine the survival rates for a disease like lung cancer is a difficult task, because there are a lot of other factors and nuances that also come into play. The numbers are released based on averages, and it heavily depends on the physical health, the severity of the symptoms, and the medical history of the individual afflicted with it. It is a very widespread and commonly seen disease around the world, and this is primarily because there are many people who are heavy smokers. Tobacco and nicotine are considered to be the single biggest causes of this cancer, and this is something that is unavoidable for a person who smokes a lot or has been smoking for a long time.
Stage 4 or metastatic lung cancer is the most advanced stage of the cancer, and sadly, there is no cure for it. The only options that people do have for the condition are merely treatments that reduce the intensity of the symptoms. The cancer occurs due to the presence of a tumor in the lungs, and when this cancer reaches this stage, it means that it has begun to spread to the other parts of the lungs and body.
Survival Rate for Lung Cancer
➜ Several environmental and genetic factors also come into play when a person contracts lung cancer, and all these factors together determine the survival of a patient. Since stage 4 is the last stage of cancer, it goes without saying that the rate of survival will indeed be pretty low.
➜ One of the crucial reasons why this happens is because people get this problem diagnosed only after it has reached an advanced stage. This leaves the individual with no other option than to live with the condition and curb the symptoms as far as possible.
➜ The survival rate for cancer refers to the amount of time that an individual can spend living a relatively healthy life after he/she has been diagnosed with the condition. In this stage, it is also indicative of the number of people who can actually live beyond a certain point.
➜ This rate is pretty low, and on an average, an individual is expected to live for about 5 years after he/she has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Please note that this is an average figure, and there are some people who live for far longer than just 5 years.
➜ On the other hand, there are many cases who may not even reach this 5-year mark, before they succumb to the final stage. Doctors and medical institutions also claim that once a person has been diagnosed to be in stage 4, he/she only has a 10% chance of surviving.
➜ This does not mean that these 10% people live perfectly healthy lives. They also have to deal with intense forms of cancer treatment (which have their own side effects), and they will also display certain symptoms and conditions that are very difficult to treat. In short, their lives will never be the same again. Moreover, doctors also say that the median survival time is 8 months.
Dealing With Lung Cancer
➜ Since the chances of survival in this stage are pretty low, coping with the condition is essential. One should brace themselves up and do all it takes to enhance the quality of life while it lasts.
➜ Try to stay positive, visit support groups, ensure that all financial loose ends are taken care of, and try and reconcile all estranged relationships. All this is far easier said than done, but it is something that is inevitable and should be done.
➜ If you have undertaken some form of treatment through radiation and other methods, then you need to learn to cope with the side effects of these methods as well.
You need to be strong when dealing with such a situation, because it is going to be extremely taxing. Life goes on and you must move on with it one way or another. The figures are disheartening but all you can and must do is ensure that you live your last few months or years to the fullest. Wish you a healthy life!
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
