Hi Stacey,

Did they use the word “terminal” rather than “incurable” or “stage 4”.
I only ask because terminal is a very specific label that is rarely used by health professionals in the UK.

Survival stats can only be accurately used for very large groups of patients, they are worse than useless for individuals. For example, in 2013 I was told that even with chemo my odds of survival for 5 years was between 3% and 5%. The chemo was brutal but I was incredibly lucky and beat the odds. Without the chemo I would have died, with it I had a 1 in 20 chance of survival. Not great odds but better than zero. 

Only you can make that call. Talk to as many people as you can who have had to make an informed choice.

Good luck!
Dave

Hi Stacey,

Did they use the word “terminal” rather than “incurable” or “stage 4”.
I only ask because terminal is a very specific label that is rarely used by health professionals in the UK.

Survival stats can only be accurately used for very large groups of patients, they are worse than useless for individuals. For example, in 2013 I was told that even with chemo my odds of survival for 5 years was between 3% and 5%. The chemo was brutal but I was incredibly lucky and beat the odds. Without the chemo I would have died, with it I had a 1 in 20 chance of survival. Not great odds but better than zero. 

Only you can make that call. Talk to as many people as you can who have had to make an informed choice.

Good luck!
Dave