At least one in every three persons with the illness survive for at least a year after being diagnosed, and roughly one in every twenty survive for at least ten years. Survival chances, however, vary greatly depending on how far the disease has gone at the time of diagnosis. Patients who detect early-stage lung cancer are more likely to be alive after five years than those who find out later. Overall, people with lung cancer can expect to live between 10 months and five years from diagnosis. Many living with the disease today will tell you that they want to live as long as possible with their current level of functioning. If you or someone you know has been told that he or she has incurable lung cancer, it is important to remember that life does not have to end there. There are many treatments available for this type of cancer that may extend survival times and/or improve quality of life during that time. The first thing you should do if you have been given a terminal diagnosis is to seek guidance from your medical team. They will be able to help you decide what kind of treatment you would like to pursue and also point you in the direction of resources for support. It is also important to remember that you do not have to make any decisions right now. In fact, it is normal to feel confused, anxious, or depressed about the future. It is okay to admit this to others or talk with a counselor about these feelings.