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Help understanding statistics and studies

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 2:52 pm
by Canada777
Hi all - I know that I need to interpret survival statistics cautiously as everyone is different and treatment is always improving.

However, what I'm curious about is the studies when they compare group A who gets chemo only and group B who gets chemo and surgery. In the conclusions they usually say group A lived a year on average and group B two years (for example). When are they counting this survival time from - diagnosis? Surgery?

Thanks!

Re: Help understanding statistics and studies

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 12:48 am
by KElizabeth
I believe it is either from the diagnosis or it's 1 year more than if you had done nothing. I could be way off. Either way the statistics don't help. They are very often wrong and they are not worth too much attention.
A positive attitude and calmness go a long way to help. Best wishes on your journey.
KE

Re: Help understanding statistics and studies

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:01 am
by ANDRETEXAS
I would not concern myself with survival statistics. There are so many factors (many unrelated to you) that go into statistics that make them useless in an individual diagnosis. Stay positive, take one day at a time and exercise if and when possible.......and don't forget to come here with comments and questions.... Andre

Re: Help understanding statistics and studies

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 10:29 am
by Deb m
I think the clock starts ticking right after surgery, that is assuming they got it all with surgery, if not then the clock doesn't start to tick till they get you in remission.

Re: Help understanding statistics and studies

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 1:34 am
by JJH
A classic article on the topic of statistics and cancer is the one entitled, "The Median Isn't the Message." This article is worth reading in order to understand why we should not pay much attention to survival statistics,

http://cancerguide.org/median_not_msg.html