How are cancer survival rates used?

You and your doctor might use survival statistics to:

• Understand your prognosis. The experience of other people in your same situation can give you and your doctor an idea of your prognosis — the chance your cancer will be cured. Other factors include age and general health. Your doctor uses these factors to help you understand the seriousness of your condition.

• Develop a treatment plan. Statistics can also show how people with your same cancer type and stage respond to treatment. You can use this information, along with your goals for treatment, to weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option.

  For instance, if two treatments give you similar chances for remission, but one has more side effects, you might choose the option with fewer side effects.

  In another example, a treatment may offer a chance for a cure, but only for 1 or 2 people out of every 100. For some, these chances are promising enough to put up with side effects. For others, the chance for a cure isn't worth the treatment's side effects.

  Your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks of each treatment.