Thankfully, cancer is not the fatal diagnosis it once was. The United States currently has 13.7 million cancer survivors, a number which is expected to increase 31% (18 million survivors) by 2022. Apparently, a lot of the survivors are of the older generation. The American Association for Cancer Research report states, “By 2020, we expect that two-thirds of cancer survivors are going to be aged 65 and older.”
There are also varying differences based on the type of cancer. Breast cancer survivors make up about 22% of all cancer survivors, and prostate cancer survivors, 20%. The AACR is proud to announce a near 100% five-year survival rate for prostate cancer, and an increased five-year survival rate for breast cancer from 75% (a number recorded in 1975) to 89% (in 2012).
However, lung cancer only makes up 3% of survivors, even though it’s the second most commonly diagnosed type of cancer.
The best treatments, paired with early diagnosis, are the key to becoming a survivor. Also, care for those survivors is typically on the backburner. “Beating cancer” is a lifelong battle. Even in remission, there are precautions to be taken.
Visit Rosetta Radiology to speak with our amazing oncology department.
To read more on the latest AACR report, click here.