Prof Fisher said in Newcastle, average survival of CF patients was 10 years post transplant.

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The technology of immunotherapy, namely Provenge at this time, affords my patients 4 months increased MEDIAN (not average) survival time over the best known chemo regimen, without the morbidity of the side effects of chemotherapy.

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People whose oral cancer is detected early have an 80% chance of surviving for five years, compared to an average five year survival of 50%.

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And the three-year survival rate for the average company shows that long-term success is hard.

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If a regulator accuses a hospital of being rife with infections, or staffed by incompetents whose patient survival rates are way below the national average, then locals will swiftly demand wholesale changes.

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Women in deprived areas were less likely to be given radiotherapy and, on average, had a lower rate of five-year survival.

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Nor, despite the increase in average lifespan in the rich world over the past few centuries, is post-reproductive survival a modern phenomenon.

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While these alterations are almost invisible to the average driver, Renault hopes they will improve the car's performance, and ultimately its survival in the marketplace.

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That means that survival was extended by 1.8 months, or 7.7 weeks, for an average patient.

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