Does Age Affect The Survival Rate Of Lung Cancer

What are the chances of surviving Cancer after treatment?

This is the first question that pops into anyone’s mind after getting a positive cancer diagnosis. Everyone simply hopes for a positive response from their cancer specialist. However, the response doesn’t always turn out encouraging as the history of survival rate for lung cancer is not very pleasing.

In India, Lung cancer is among the top five cancers and its rate of occurrence is increasing at a rapid pace. Among Indian males, the cancer-related mortality number is estimated around 48,697 and the estimated lung cancer mortality among Indian Females is around 15062. Lung cancer constitutes 6.9 percent of all new cancer cases and 9.3 percent of all cancer-related deaths in both genders.

More people die from Lung Cancer every year than from Breast cancer and Prostate cancer. There are a number of different factors that affect the survival rate of Lung cancer but the most prognostic factor is Age.

Lung cancer survival is better at younger ages than older ages, however, it is noted that young people with lung cancer are often diagnosed at a higher stage of the disease.  Besides this fact, the elderly have lower survival rates because their response to the treatment in most cases is not positive and the incidence of anaemia is higher as compared to the younger audience.  

According to a study, It was observed that in a year, the survival rates in younger patients and elderly patients were 67.3 percent and 42.7 percent respectively. The majority of elderly patients were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer which has a poorer outcome as compared to non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). The average age of lung cancer diagnosis is 70, with the majority of diagnosis in adults is over the age of 65.

Less number of lung cancer diagnosis in adults are under the age 45 as many people don’t suspect lung cancer in young people. However, it is always preferred to know about the disease as soon as possible. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:

• Persistent Cough
• Cough with blood or red-colored spit
• Chest pain that worsens with coughing, deep breathing, etc.
• Hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue

In most cases, lung cancer does not show any symptoms. Although, those which are caused at an early age, display symptoms which must be taken care of. According to the best lung cancer doctor in Delhi NCR, it is concluded that lung cancer is easier to cure at an early age than in old age. Apart from this, there are numerous factors that affect the survival rate of Lung cancer:

• Sex – Women tend to have a better prognosis with lung cancer at each stage as compared to men.
• Race – Survival rate appears to be lower for black people than white.
• Smoking – After getting diagnosed with lung cancer, continued smoking reduces the survival rate and can be a major reason for further complications.
• Medical Condition – Patients fighting with other medical issues like Heart disease etc. generally don’t do well as of healthier patients.
• Response to treatment – Some people find it difficult to tolerate the treatment as compared to others.
• Stage of Cancer – Diagnosis at an early stage makes lung cancer treatment more curable and bolsters the survival rate.

As most of the factors cannot be altered such as race, sex, stage of cancer, etc. It is strongly recommended by Lung cancer doctor in Delhi to restrict the factors that can be controlled such as smoking. Reason being, the continuation of such practices will have an adverse effect and will reduce the chances of survival.

Furthermore, the survival rate is also determined by the doctor and the hospital, where the cancer is treated. At Cancer Consult India, cancer specialist provides the best Treatment for lung cancer in Noida that has a robust history in curing cancer and a terrific survival rate. Each and every patient is managed according to age in clinical practice.