1. Which cancer has the greatest chance for recovery?

This question is hard to answer because many factors affect the prognosis of a person with cancer, including the type, location, and stage of the cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic website, “the overall five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is 78 percent. That means that of all people who have bladder cancer, 78 of every 100 are living five years after diagnosis. Conversely, 22 out of every 100 are dead within five years of a bladder cancer diagnosis.” Overall survival rates don't specify whether cancer survivors are still undergoing treatment at five years or if they have become cancer-free. Disease-free survival rate is the number of people with cancer who achieve remission. That means they no longer have signs of cancer in their bodies. Progression-free survival rate is the number of people who still have cancer, but their disease isn't progressing. This includes people who may have had some success with treatment, but the cancer hasn't disappeared completely. Survival statistics don't take into account other medical conditions you have. In my opinion cancer survival statistics are frustrating because there are too many factors contributing to one’s health and wellbeing with cancer.

2. Which is the most painful?

There is no way to completely answer this question because pain is dependent on the individual experiencing the symptoms. Pain is subjective, it is whatever the patient says it is. Everyone’s experience with cancer will vary in regards to pain level. Typically, any cancer that affects the inner organs will be painful. For example, the liver would be painful.

3. Which is the most dangerous?

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) website, “lung and bronchial cancer killed 792,495 lives, the most people in the United States between 2003 and 2007.” Lung and bronchial cancer are the top killing cancers in the United States. Smoking and use of tobacco products are the major causes of lung and bronchial cancer, and it strikes most often between the ages of 55 and 65, according to the NCI. There are two major types: non-small cell lung cancer, which is the most common, and small cell lung cancer, which spreads more quickly.

4. What are the best ways to decrease risks for cancer?

According to the Mayo clinic website, seven tips to reduce your risk are “don’t use tobacco, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight and be physically active, protect yourself from the sun, get immunized, avoid risky behaviors, and get regular medical care”. I believe that if one follows these tips of living a healthy lifestyle that they could potentially decrease their risk of developing cancer, although there is always genetics that play a factor into developing cancer as well.

5. What are the most common unconventional methods of treatment?

According to the Mayo clinic website, eleven unconventional methods of cancer treatment are “acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback, exercise, hypnosis, massage therapy, meditation, music therapy, relaxation techniques, tai chi, and yoga.” I believe that these methods of treatment can be extremely beneficial to one’s health and wellbeing, they also can aid in stress relief.