Cancer life expectancy is frequently reported as a 5-year survival rate (the percent of patients who will be alive 5 years after diagnosis). However many melanoma survivors experience severe side effects for many years after their treatment is completed. Skin cancer survivors should learn the signs of recurrence and take steps to prevent additional cancers from forming. People can survive for many years after being told they have cancer but this depends on the type of cancer, where it is located, and how far it has spread. Melanoma is an especially serious form of skin cancer because it can develop into metastatic cancer. There is no sure way to know if you will go into remission after being treated for cancer or not. Some people live longer than expected after being treated for cancer and some don't live as long as expected. Knowing your risk factors can help you decide what actions to take to increase your chances of living a long healthy life. Your chance of living more than 10 years after being told you have cancer increases if you: Are female and under 70 at the time of diagnosis Have localized skin cancer that was completely removed by surgery Do not have any of the risk factors listed below