The first study of long-term lung cancer survivors paints a surprisingly bright picture.

Lung cancer has a poor survival rate, so little is known of those who are still alive many years on. In the first study of its kind, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, find that more than 50 per cent of a group of survivors report a good quality of life. This is despite having reduced lung function due to lung cancer surgery and many years of smoking.

Where quality of life was impaired, depression - not physical limitations - seemed to be the main cause. Compared to people with other lung problems, lung cancer survivors seemed to be in better mental shape. For many, surviving cancer had helped them view life in a more positive way. The mental outlook of the lung cancer survivors was as good as survivors of other forms of cancer - even though their physical wellbeing was not as good (because of reduced lung function and breathing difficulties). The study can help guide healthcare providers in rehabilitation services offered to people who have had lung cancer. It will also be useful to the patients themselves, and their families.

Source

Journal of Clinical Oncology 1st July 2002