For example if the five-year survival rate for localized colon cancer is 90 percent that means that 90 percent of the people.

How long can someone live with advanced cancer. Localized means it hasnt spread outside the original tissue or organ And when diagnosed. People are all different so there is no single answer. It is not always possible to predict how long someone will live.

Knowing what to expect helps relieve anxiety and allows better planning. Some will have pain while others dont. So unless she has been told it is terminal usually 6 months life expectancy or less keep your hopes up and even with a terminal prognosis keep your hopes up.

Death from cancer usually occurs after a person has become weaker and more tired over several weeks or months. The median survival time for those with stage 4 lung cancer is around four months which means that 50 of patients will still be alive four months. Asking how long my husband had left to live.

But do ask if you feel you need to. Some people may live with advanced cancer for a long time sometimes for years. Being a long term survivor is usually defined as living five or more years beyond a diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer.

Sometimes treatment may not be able to control the spread of the cancer. When death is very near you might notice some physical changes such as changes in breathing loss of bladder and bowel control and unconsciousness. Others seem to live on despite all odds.

Ruths husband Andrew was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2011 three years after he had retired. Or you may not be well enough to have treatment. There are several people on this forum who are 2 years on from being diagnosed with stage 4 cancers including me.