What factors influence survival rates forrectal cancer, and what is the current life expectancy based on these statistics?
Keep in mind that these numbers are statistics based on past survival rates.
Quality of care may be a factor, but another could be the use ofcolorectal cancer screeningprograms.
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In general, the earlier rectal cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat.
Stage at Diagnosis
The stage at diagnosis greatly impacts rectal cancer survival rates.
Your sex is another factor in rectal cancer survival rates.
Controllable Variables
The factors we’ve discussed so far are mostly out of your control.
You live whereyou live and you developed cancer when you developed it.
So whatcanyou do to improve your chances of survival?
Learn more about the impact of exercise on colorectal cancer survival.
Your cancer center social worker may be a good place to start in determining what your options are.
Always talk to your healthcare providerbeforetaking any nonprescription nutritional supplements.
Somevitamin and mineral preparationscan interfere with cancer treatments.
Statistics can give averages, but people are not numbers.
In general, statistics tell us how patients fared with colorectal cancer in recent history.
Newer treatments have been approved in recent years, and others are in clinical trials.
The treatment options in clinical trials must be evaluated before they are available to the public.
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