Survival Rates Improve for Colon Cancer

Nobody really wants to be sick, but oftentimes people fall sick, recover, and then become ill again. Illnesses and diseases vary in their severities, demands and survival rates. It is not good news to be informed that you have developed colon cancer. The word cancer itself is scary enough for a lot of people, and being told that you are a victim is enough to cause no mean amount of devastation. However, receiving a favorable prognosis from a physician is reassuring. Doctors realize this, and tend to be as positively realistic as possible when talking to patients. In view of this, it is important to realize that survival rates improve for colon cancer victims.

The Good News – Survival Rates Improve for Colon Cancer

To understand why seeing a news headline like “Survival Rates Improve for Colon Cancer” is palatable, a look into history is necessary. In the past it was impossible to diagnose colon cancer. A lot of people died without the cause of death having been known. Even when the cause became known, patients diagnosed with colon cancer were likely to be terminal. Until 1985, the survival rates were not promising, but from that point forward, there have been gradual improvements in the survival rates for colon cancer. This is attributable to a number of factors.

New Developments

The field of medicine is constantly evolving with breakthroughs and discoveries being made daily. Apart from new techniques, older techniques and methods also become refined, all in a bid to provide better healthcare. In the case of colon cancer, the emergence of novel techniques has greatly impacted the ability to detect colon cancer while it is still in early stages. These techniques are so efficient that they can even be employed in the detection and removal of abnormal growths that are found in the lower intestine before they become cancerous and metatastic.

Statistical Evidence

Research was carried out from 1978 to 1995 on people treated for stage 2and stage 3 colon cancer. The same thing was done for people that were treated from 1996 to 2007. The individual results were then compared and some interesting deductions were made. According to the most recent data, it was discovered that the rate of recurrence was reduced by 3.9 percent for stage 2 colon cancer. The mortality rate was also reduced by a margin of 6.9 percent for stage 2. The mortality rate for stage 3 colon cancer was also reduced by a margin of 7.8 percent. The average survival rate for stage 2 colon cancer for the 1996 to 2007 time frame is 87.2 percent. For stage 3, the rate is 69%.

This steady improvement lends credence to the contention that survival rates improve for colon cancer patients. This is very welcome news to people suffering from colon cancer because it means that the odds are more in favor of surviving the ordeal. While survival rates are improving every day, it is imperative to understand that living a healthy lifestyle and periodic colon cleanses can reduce the risk of getting colon cancer tremendously.