Colon cancer survival rates

Statistics andinsights

For those people whodid not go too much in detail when it comes to statistics and rates in general, they need toknow that the survival rate refers to the probability that a person in questionwill survive the disease in a designated period of time. Of course, what everyperson should be aware of is that these rates are not sole and sturdyindicators of what a person in question will go through. What they do isprovide a prediction regarding the likelihood of surviving this illness, once aspecific type of the treatment has been chosen. The basis are evidence gathered on similarcases that occurred in the past. Another role of the survival rates is topresent the person in question, as well as his/her family, with all thepossible scenarios, so they could prepare themselves mentally for what liesahead of them, as well as give them a more concise account on what they canexpect from the treatment method they have previously chosen. In addition, thiswill tell them if any treatment method could be effective for the type ofcancer they are up against.

Illness revealed

The type of cancer inquestion is known to affect the lower area of the person’s digestive system,together with the colon itself, as well as the rectum and appendix. Other namesquite frequently encountered as well are colorectal, or large bowel cancer. Even though itoccupies the second position on the list of most fatal cancer varieties in the Western countries, when revealed in time, i.e. in its initial phase, it is oneof the most curable cancer varieties (rate goes as high as 90%). What is evenmore fortunate is that these rates have been steadily increasing for the pasttwenty years due to the fact that screening has been revolutionized, thus enabling timely treatment. Taking this into account, it needs to be emphasized thattoday on the US soil more than one million survivors can testify this.

Stages and percentage

Just as it is the case withthe greatest number of cancer varieties, the final outcome (i.e. theprognosis) is dependent on the phase of the illness itself – the latter thephase the lower the chances of survival. As far as the United States are concerned,the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has comprised a list of specificphases together with the survival rates for this specific type of cancer:

Stage 1 = 93%Stage 2A = 85%Stage 2B = 72%Stage 3A = 83%Stage 3B = 64%Stage 3C = 44%Stage 4 = 8%