My mom has lung cancer, how long does she have to live?
Hello, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer last night. We're not sure what stage it's at yet but how long do you think she'll have to live? Is there any chance she can live through it and be ok in the end? I've been doing some research but I cant find any answers. She's been smoking for 40 years so thats a main factor.
Cancer - 12 Answers
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1 :
There's a chance she can live through it I think, don't lose hope.
2 :
I know someone who was diagnosed with lung cancer, given 6 months to live and is healthy like 4 years later. I don't think you can really know. My boyfriend's mother had stage 4 cancer this past year as well. It looks like she is getting better. I really was in aw of him dealing so well with the situation and being so strong and caring for her. Tough situation.
3 :
Her doctor will set her up an appointment with an oncologist. If she hasn't had a biopsy or surgery yet there is no way to tell what type or stage the cancer is. After knowing that information the doctor will recommend treatment. There are many women today who survive breast cancer. Don't give up hope.
4 :
a week to many years....you don't know. there is no set answer, especially when she hasn't received any more news, or details. see what smoking does? she could live a few months, depending on the stage she's in, or years. she needs treatments, and to stop smoking. i hope you get checked as well. 2nd hand smoke kills as well...
5 :
It depends on what type of cancer - small cell carcinoma, oat cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma. Small cell is the most deadly. It also depends on the extent of the cancer, is it a small tumor or spread throughout the lungs and whether this is the primary site or if this is a site of metastasis. She should have CT scans of her entire body to rule out other sites. There are some great treatments for cancer these days and it is not always a death sentance anymore. I have melanoma (skin cancer) that metastasized to two organs and was told that I would not live more than 6 months but it has been 5 years. She needs to get as much information as she can, see a specialist that deals with her specific type of cancer, and keep her thoughts positive. You also need to be positive and supportive. Ask the doctors as many questions as you can to get as much information about her cancer as possible including prognosis, treatment options, and aslo ask about any clinical trials.
6 :
It depends on what stage she's at. If she's stage 1 her changes are pretty good, the further the stage the less chance she has, I just found out this information yesterday. As I too have lung cancer, another factor is what type she has. small cell lung cancer is worse than non small cell lung cancer. I hope this helps you, all of these things can be discussed with the oncologist she's seeing. For most of us the goal is 5 years. If she can make it cancer free 5 years she's considered healed. It will also depend on if her cancer is operable. Mine isn't. I've gone through 7 weeks of radiation, one full round of chemo, while my tumor has shrunk I still have it, so we're starting back on a stronger chemo treatment. I will pray for both of you, God bless.
7 :
I am so sorry to hear about your mothers diagnosis. Lung cancer is very difficult to cure but.... her long term prognosis will depend on the type, stage and location of her cancer. Treatment options vary. My mother has lung cancer that is non curable and is being managed. The doctors gave her six months to a year- which was based on averages for individuals with this particular type and stage of cancer. It has been 10 months since the diagnosis. There is so much information available on the internet do a google search for lung cancer , check out the american cancer association, also major hospital web sites such as Mayo Clinic provide a abundance of information. My mother has the best care in the world- The Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. She is taking a drug called tarceba that only works on 10 percent of the cases. She has stabalized and our family plans to vacation in Florida in a few weeks. You will need to be as supportive as possible on this most difficult journey. Do not dwell on the fact that your mother smoked it will not help her now. My mother never smoked. Also, take care of yourself and consider joining a support group. Take Care
8 :
Greg, There is no good answer for you. If your mom was just diagnosed last night, generally the next thing to do is called staging. They will do testing to determine if the cancer is spread, what type it is etc. The will generally assign it a number value of 1 to 4. 1 is great, and rarely used and 4 is pretty bad, but not a death sentence. Some things to keep in mind along this difficult journey. When you ask things like how long, etc., the docs can only give you averages and they will all be able to tell you that they have seen patients that staged like your mom that died in a few weeks or 10 years. My mom had ovarian cancer, stage 3+ they only gave her 18 months, she died 10 years later from something that had nothing to do with the cancer. Take one day at a time, the future isn't real, all any of us really has has is right here and right now. I was 24 when my mom was diagnosed and 34 when she died and I cherished every one of those 3,000 plus days. She saw me get married and her knew first grand child, she missed her 2nd & 3rd grand kids and my brothers marriage at least in this world, but she was so very happy to have been at my wedding and to hold and sing to her grandson. Don't be afraid to ask for second opinions. The whole family needs to keep talking, but choose your words carefully you may not have the oportunity to speak your mind again but equally you may not have time to take your words back. If you have a faith, it's time to embrace it if you haven't been. Faith is a force that will help you, your mom, and your family along this journey. Don't judge your family too much, support each other even if you disagree, it will be dificult for everyone regardless of the outcome.
9 :
Mom has a very good chance to fight cancer with pranayam.She needs a strong determination to get better. This is the free treatment for cancer patients.Do it and you will know from the future test results.You can also do it alongside any medical treatment. Cancer hates oxygen and cannot live in a high-oxygen environment.If you want to supplement the medical treatment you receive(or not receive) with some alternative therapy then this is for you. You need to help your body to build up your immune system.The breathing exercises - pranayam is a holistic approach creating extra oxygen supply in the body and will slowly help with the health problem.Do the pranayam to see the benefits.Build up your timing slowly and after four weeks at the suggested maximum duration you will start to notice benefits gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy,stop and resume later. What is known: pranayam helps the body heal itself. How it works in the body is not known – but people may build their own theory. You have to do it yourself for your benefit. The small print: Keep doing pranayam after you are better for minimum 30 minutes a day for rest of life to maintain health. People who have been treated successfully, should do pranayam as well, as there is a chance of recurrence. The pranayam techniques: Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose.Duration upto 5 minutes. Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently. Anulom Vilom - Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril. This is one cycle of anulom vilom. Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day). You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed. Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee. Duration : 5 to 10 times Only by doing you will benefit and will feel good that you can do something to help the body.Copy and print this to improve your technique and stay focused.This is simplified pranayam for everyone and you do not have to go to classes to learn. This is for life, unlike short term classes where you do it in the class then stop when classes are over.
10 :
PUt her on Germanium Ge-132 and Biobran, I have seen great results on lung patients.
11 :
Never give up hope... my mom is living proof!!! My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1995....she had surgery and chemo that year... My mom is still alive today and has not had one reoccurence with cancer!! I knock on wood everyday...My mother is very lucky and in good health. My mom had also smoked her whole life up until that point. Just remember..everybody is different. Your moms oncologists and surgeon will know more.. and they will do the best they can to help her... Im not going to lie..your mom has a tough road in front of her if she is facing surgery and chemo...but if she is strong willed and has lots of support she will get through this! :) Good luck...keep us updated.
12 :
My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer March 20th 2006. He had no symptoms but thought he hurt his back at work. By the time it was diagnosed(within 2 days of the back ache) the cancer was everywhere. No surgery. Thee is a better chance of survival if they can operate. He went thru chemo, radiation, gamma knife procedure(brain tumor) and took a drug called tarceva. Tarceva is very expensive but it has has good results you may want to ask the doctor about it. Sadly, my love passed June 6th 2006. In the meantime do whatever she wants to do, go whereever she wants to go eat what she want to eat and have get togethers with family and friends and take lots of pictures . Good luck to you.
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