Join now

Already a member? Sign in

Welcome to Inspire!

What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.

Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.

How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!

corner corner corner

Survival Statistics?

sunshine2gal
0 Recommendations

My mom was just diagnosed today with non-small cell lung cancer after her biopsy results came back. I don't know what stage yet. My guess from reading categories online is that she is a 3 or 4. The survival rate info I have found is scary. However, most the sites I have found said the data was from the 1980's until about 2001. Does anyone have info on newer rate data? I am assuming with the years that have passed there are more advancements in treatment, but have they compiled new statistics yet that I am missing? Thank you!

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Surgery Tarceva Avastin Lung cancer Diabetes Breast cancer

26 replies

Marylou1

Hi,
You are going to hear this from everyone on this site. DON'T READ the statistics!!! They are outdated, and No one knows how long a person has.

There are so many variables to each condition, and the saying on LCA is, "Look at the bottom of your mom's foot to see if there is an expiration date on it." NO? Ok, Then take a very deep breath, take one day at a time, and get all the information you can get.

Go with mom to every appointment. If you cannot go, then see if someone else can. Take notes, or take a tape recorder. It's easy to forget what the doctors say.

I'm sorry you had to find us, but this is the best and most informative place you can be. And besides that, we all love one another. Welcome.
Much Love,
Marylou

LarrWife

I have to say that that was one of the first things I learned when I came to this site (and maybe the most helpful). First the stats are old, it takes so long to collect them, analyze them, validate them and then publish them, that they are always old. Next they are dependent on large groups of people, not individuals. Everyone has a different story that affects their treatment and plan. There are many factors that affect this plan.
The statistics can be very discouraging but there have been great strides in treatment in the last 5 years and they are not reflected in the current statistics. So avoid them and focus on finding the best care for your Mom given her particular situation. Good luck to you and come here often for support. It really helps. Sue

sunshine2gal

Thank you very much Marylou! That does make me feel better. Oddly enough, I think I am taking it harder than my mother is. I wish I had her strength, but I am trying to be positive and appreciate every day as it comes like she does. Take care and thanks for the kind response!

sunshine2gal

Sue,

Thanks for the response. This site has been wonderful and I have been coming daily since we had the PET scan the other week. I really don't know what I would do without it. Everyone is so helpful and supportive and willing to listen. Great people!!

roxieliberty

Sunshine, Last nov I was dxn with breast cancer on right breast, then dec. lung cancer on left lung. Initially they told me the tumor was so huge they didn't know if it could come out. I told them they were'nt god and let's not make judgement yet. Have they determined yet if your mothers cancer can have surgery or do they need to start chemo, radiation to shrink first.? As far as stage, I don't buy that theory if it can be operated on. Bottom line, I had surgery on both breast and they removed a 10 cenimeter cancer and took out my left lung. This was Jan. 6th. I have been through my radiation and am about to finish my chemo (one more treatment) . They went from saying five years to I will probably see 82 which is my goal. Chemo is hell, but my state of mind and determination that I won't loose the battle they say has helped me be a true success story. Most importantly stay close to your mom and both stay positive. There are so many things they can do these days. Chemo and radiation are'nt fun, but they certainly do work. Keep the faith and don't do to much research online, it will only have your mind racing and there is just to many different opinions. Find a doctor you trust and talk to real people who have and are experiencing like this site. You will get honest answers with real experiences, which you will see are all different. Hang in there sweety and be proud you love your mom so much.
Marcia

cuddles53

Hi, and welcome. I am still here. I was told I wouldn't be but still am. Stats are wrong. This site is right, stay with us. We are the survivors and we have more strength in numbers, I truly believe it.
I am sure your mom is really crumbling inside and is trying to stay strong for you. It is hurting her believe me. Give her all of your love, if she has ever needed it as much, she needs you now.
From Sandy.

Nelzter

You are right. Stats are wrong, and also do not take into account the treatments given up to, and including, the last 5 years. Which is HUGE.

Small Cell Cancer is 2-6 months according to the stats. Back in 1997.

It's 12 years later.

There are not any hard stats about it yet, bit SCLC is well over the survival rates given back then. WELL OVER THAT.

brooklynda

Sunshine: More of the same --- please don't read the statistics!! They are outdated and we are all so individual. Read the "Survivor Stories" on this website and you'll really be able to see that this is true. Many people who were written off are still very much alive and living full and productive lives. There continue to be advances in treatment. Today's statistics do not reflect these advances as they are compilations from past years. You are obviously a kind and loving daughter who will be of infinite support to your mother. Blessings! Brooklynda

sunshine2gal

Thank you so much Marcia. That made me feel better. You are an inspiration for sure. Bless you! xx

sunshine2gal

Sandy,

Thanks for your reply. I will try not to let statistics get me down. And yes, mom is getting all my love...in fact, I am probably smothering her with it at the moment! lol Take care and thank you again! xx

sunshine2gal

Nelzter,

Thank you for responding and making me feel better. Everyone's replies have been making me feel much more hopeful. I couldn't be more thankful! xx

sunshine2gal

Thank you Sue. That makes sense. You all are wonderful on here. xxx

BAS

Robin..

Listen to them all.. they are right.. we have to stay focused on the here and now.. take it one day at a time!!!

The people out here are wonderful as you know.. this is where we will all get the information, support and compassion that will keep us going.

We are all in this together..

Beth Ann

lfether

Can anyone give me any advice....my mom has stage 4 nsclc. She was doing great until she went to the doctor and he sugested to her she was just" adding years" by doing chemo and stuff. Now shes depressed again. I wish theyd be a little more positive. Thank you all for being there for me.
Lisa

Ellen_in_PA

Unlike everyone else around here (or so it seems), I think the stats are very informative and useful. And they're not necessarily outdated -- it depends which ones you're looking at.

What I've used them for is to decide on treatment. There are reports of clinical trials of nearly all the drugs used in lung cancer. They describe the population the drugs were tested on, which drugs, and what happened. For 'what happened', they give the median survival time for each group (i.e. the group with drug(s) A vs. the group with drug(s) B), the shortest survival time for each group, and the longest, plus other stuff. So you want to look at those trials with a population as much like your mother as possible in terms of stage, age, performance level, and prior treatment. I wouldn't make any decisions based just on this reading since there are individual factors we may not know about but I WOULD take the results and discuss them with the onc when deciding on a (or no) treatment. At least that was how I made my choice 15+ months ago (for no treatment) and am very pleased with it. Good luck to your mom.

Ellen

Marylou1

This is for Lisa,
Can you start a discussion and explain your mom's condition?

Of course we are ALL ADDING years to our lives. That's the point of it all. Not all lung cancer is curable but it is very much treatable.

I feel so bad that your mom is depressed. It seems that was a very unkind remark from her doctor, and perhaps she should consider getting a second opinion.

Seriously, please start a new thread so all of us will know you are asking for help.
Much Love,
Marylou

terryl

" Adding years"...what a wonderful concept!! Especially when the dreaded stats say that chemo only adds months. I know the doctor's point is probably that there is no cure. But there is no cure for high blood pressure or diabetes either. Treatment is just ' adding years"...ain't that what its all about??

sunshine2gal

Thanks for the info Ellen. Is there a particular website or resource you went to to find the data or just general searching? Glad you are doing well!!

nmonreal

Hang in there. I was diagnosed as Stage IV in January 2008. I am currently on Tarceva and doing really well. I don't plan to go anywhere soon. I think the statistics say that women in the 40's that get LC Stage IV have a 50% chance of surviving 5 years. I think that many of the stats were calculated before there were drugs like Tarceva and Avastin. Ever time I go to the onc, there is a new drug that he is thinking about.
Have faith and the path will show itself to you and your family.
Nannette

sunshine2gal

Thanks for responding Nannette! I hope you continue to do well! What is Tarceva in general? I hear a lot about it on here. Is it a chemo medicine or some other type? Thanks!

Add to the discussion

Don't have an Inspire account? Join now!

Forgot password?

Help from Lung Cancer Alliance

Fundraising and awareness

Upcoming events
Visit Lung Cancer Alliance to learn about upcoming fundraising and awareness events.

Need financial help?

Cancer Care Co-Pay Assist Program
Medication co-pay assistance for non-small cell lung cancer.

Patient Access Network Foundation
Medication co-pay assistance for non-small cell lung cancer.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Prescription drug assistance programs for uninsured/underinsured.

The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition
Searchable database of both medical and non-medical financial assistance (both national and regional) all over the US.

Patient Advocate Foundation
State-by-state information on various assistance, including transportation, utilities, and other products and services.

Need legal / insurance help?

The Cancer Legal Resource Center
Assistance with employment issues, medical leave, insurance, estate planning, advanced directives, patients' rights, and other legal issues.

Patient Advocate Foundation
Assistance with insurance and employment related issues.

Need emotional support?

Lung Cancer Alliance
Find a support group or learn how to get connected with a Phone Buddy here!

Want to find clinical trials?

Lung Cancer Alliance Clinical Trials Matching Service
Search for trials and talk to a specialist who can help you find appropriate trials for you.

You