The standard method of discussing and predicting a person’s chances of survival is known by doctors as the survival rate. Many patients find it useful to know this information, while others understandably would rather not know. You may want to jump ahead to the next section if you would rather not know the survival rates.
The survival rate for cancer patients is five years. Although some people are cured of their cancer and many cancer patients live far longer than five years.
The table compares normal survival rates for those without cancer, to those patients with cancer. It provides a more accurate way to see how cancer affects survival and takes into account those deaths caused by something other than cancer.
Doctors must also look at those patients who were treated years ago, to get an accurate five-year survival rate. Anyone who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer today may have a more favorable survival rate because of improvements in cancer treatment.
Survival rates cannot accurately predict what will happen to a specific person or how long they will live, despite them being based on the past outcomes of a large number of cancer patients. Survival rates are always going to be rough estimates of how long a person will live. There are factors that should be taken into account that can affect a person’s survival rate.
These include knowing the type of cancer and the stage it has reached, the grade of the cancer and the genetic changes occurring in the cancerous cells. How well a patient responds to treatment and the type of treatment can also affect their chances of survival. Your doctor, of course, is familiar with your particular condition and is in a qualified position to give you an idea of your survival rate.
| STAGE | 5-YEAR RELATIVE SURVIVAL RATE |
|---|---|
| I | 92% |
| IIA | 87% |
| IIB | 63%* |
| IIIA | 89%* |
| IIIB | 69% |
| IIIC | 53% |
| IV | 11% |
| STAGE | 5-YEAR RELATIVE SURVIVAL RATE |
|---|---|
| I | 87% |
| IIA | 80*% |
| IIB | 49*% |
| IIIA | 84%* |
| IIIB | 71% |
| IIIC | 58% |
| IV | 12% |
