What is a cancer survival rate?

A cancer survival rate refers to the percentage of people who are still alive a certain number of years after being diagnosed with cancer. It is a common way to measure the effectiveness of treatments and to understand the prognosis for different types of cancer. The rates can vary widely depending on the type of cancer, how advanced it is at the time of diagnosis, the treatment options available, and other factors. For example, the five-year survival rate for early-stage lung cancer is relatively high because the cancer is caught early and has not yet spread to other parts of the body. However, for late-stage lung cancer that has metastasized, the five-year survival rate is significantly lower, indicating a poorer prognosis and the aggressive nature of the disease at that stage. It's important to note that survival rates are statistical averages and do not predict what will happen to an individual person. Each person's experience with cancer is unique, and many factors can influence survival, including the individual's overall health, the specific characteristics of their cancer, and the treatments they receive.

For instance, 52 percent, or about half, of people diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body is 4 percent.