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It is normal to think about dying if you have just been told
you have cancer. You may feel better knowing that the outlook for many
people diagnosed with cancer is very good. Many people still believe
that "cancer equals death." But the fact is that most cancers can be
treated. More than half of the people who get cancer today will
survive. There are more than 11 million people living in the United
States today who have had cancer.
The survival rate among different cancers varies greatly, so
it's important to look at how well treatment works for your type of
cancer. While numbers provide an overall picture, keep in mind that
every person is unique and statistics can't predict exactly what will
happen in your case. Talk with your cancer care team if you have
questions about your own chances of a cure, or how long you might
survive your cancer. They know your situation best.
Sometimes people are found to have an aggressive or advanced
cancer and are told that their future is not bright or that they might
not be expected to live very long. This is very hard and is a lot to
take in at once. The American Cancer Society has other publications
that may be of help to you, such as Advanced Cancer
or Caring for the Patient with
Cancer at Home: A Guide for Patients and Families.
Cancer can be treated
Each cancer is different. Some cancers, especially if caught
at an early stage, are simple to treat; others are more difficult. Over
the past few decades, doctors and scientists have made a lot of
progress in treating some forms of cancer. Many people recover
completely, while others live for years with their cancer in control.
Even people who continue to live with cancer after treatment
often carry on with little change in their lives. Cancer, for these
people, is an ongoing illness that might be compared to diabetes. Many
people with diabetes lead normal lives when they follow their treatment
plan. Many cancers can be treated the same way.
Go back to After
Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and Families
Last Medical Review: 03/19/2008
Last Revised: 05/22/2009
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