Seeing the Life Expectancy of Lung Cancer Patients Based on the Stage

Basically, the life expectancy of cancer patients depends on the stage of the cancer they are experiencing. So, how long can someone with lung cancer survive? Check out the full explanation in the following review.

Lung Cancer Life Expectancy

Lung cancer is one type of cancer that accounts for the highest mortality worldwide. In addition, this condition is considered a very deadly disease because it has a very low cure rate, which is 16 to 18 percent.

Even so, the life expectancy of lung cancer sufferers is based on the health condition of each patient. When diagnosed with this disease, the patient will get a specific prognosis about life expectancy from the oncologist.

Research from the American Lung Association (ALA) shows that the average life expectancy of lung sufferers is 18.6 percent. These figures show that patients diagnosed with the condition are able to survive five years after diagnosis.

Please note, this specific level percentage averages all stages and types of cancer together. When demographics and other specifications are broken down, survival rates can change.

For example, if you just averaged stage I and stage II together, the average survival would be higher, because lung cancer treatment has a better outcome in early stage lung cancer than later stage.

Also Read: Various Types of Examination to Detect Lung Cancer

How Long is the Life Expectancy of Lung Cancer Patients?

The survival statistics are taken from data on people diagnosed with lung cancer between 2013-2017. The following is a presentation of patient survival based on stage, including:

More than 55 out of 100 people with stage I lung cancer will survive 5 years or more after diagnosis.

About 35 in 100 people with stage II lung cancer will survive the cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed.

Nearly 15 in 100 people with stage III lung cancer will survive the cancer for 5 or more years after diagnosis.

Nearly 5 in 100 people with stage IV lung cancer will survive the cancer for 5 or more years after diagnosis.

Please note, the life expectancy above does not take into account the age of lung cancer sufferers.

Also Read: 12 Symptoms of Early Stage Lung Cancer to Watch Out for

Life Expectancy of Lung Cancer Patients Are Not All the Same

After getting an explanation about how long someone survives from lung cancer, it should also be noted that the exact number related to life expectancy after being diagnosed is not known with certainty, even by doctors.

Unfortunately, this disease develops so quickly and sufferers are often not aware of the symptoms early on. This is the reason why about 40% of lung cancers are not recognized until the advanced stage, namely stage 4.

Additionally, younger people tend to live longer after their diagnosis than older people.

While survival rates are relatively high for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), nearly 90% of lung cancers are of this type.

The database from the National Cancer Institute breaks down cancer based on how far the tumor has spread (metastasized).

This relative survival rate is the average percentage of people who are alive 5 years after diagnosis. The data did not include people who had died from something other than lung cancer.

The following is the coverage of the spread of lung cancer, including:

• Localized. (Cancer confined to one lung): 60%.
• regional. (Cancer has spread beyond the lungs or to the lymph nodes): 33%.
• Distant. (Cancer has moved further afield, such as to the brain, other lungs, and bones): 6%.
• All stages: 23%.

Meanwhile, the survival rate for people with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) depends on the type that occurs.

• Localized: 29%.
• Regional: 15%.
• Distances: 3%.
• All stages: 6%.

How to Diagnose Lung Cancer Stages

The doctor will do several tests and examinations. If the test results are cause for concern but are uncertain, the doctor may order more tests, including chest X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, bronchoscopy, and biopsies.

After the results come out of the laboratory, the doctor will then make a diagnosis, followed by a prognosis. Diagnosis involves a doctor’s assessment of the disease that the doctor makes from test results.

Once diagnosed with lung cancer, the doctor will then make a prognosis or prediction of how the disease will progress, including the patient’s average survival past the predicted life expectancy.

Also Read: The Importance of Early Lung Cancer Screening for Smokers

Tips for Maintaining Lung Health to Avoid Cancer

While there’s no sure way to prevent this condition, you can reduce your risk by making healthier lifestyle changes, including:

1. Quit Smoking

Taking the preventative step of quitting smoking can reduce your risk of lung cancer, even if you have smoked for many years. If you find it difficult to quit, consult your doctor about ways to quit smoking.

2. Balanced Diet

Studies have shown that eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet, including at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains; may reduce the risk of lung cancer, as well as other types of cancer and heart disease.

3. Sports

There is some evidence that regular exercise can help reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, especially in people who smoke.

If you have this condition, being physically active can help reduce symptoms of this condition such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Most adults are recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, plus strength training at least 2 days each week.

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