<P> How many people are cancer survivors depends on the definition used . Currently nearly 65% of adults diagnosed with cancer in the developed world are expected to live at least five years after the cancer is discovered . In the U.S. for example, about 11 million Americans alive today--one in 30 people--are either currently undergoing treatment for cancer or have done so in the past . </P> <P> Many cancer survivors describe the process of living with and beating cancer as a life - changing experience . It is not uncommon for survivors to use the experience as opportunities for creative self - transformation into a "better person" or as motivation to meet goals of great personal importance, such as climbing a mountain or reconciling with an estranged family member . This process of posttraumatic growth is called benefit finding . Cancer survivors often have specific medical and non-medical needs related to their cancer experience . </P> <P> Macmillan Cancer Support in the UK defines a cancer survivor as someone who is "living with or beyond cancer", namely someone who: </P> <Ul> <Li> has completed initial cancer management and has no apparent evidence of active disease; </Li> <Li> is living with progressive disease and may be receiving cancer treatment, but is not in the terminal phases of illness; or </Li> <Li> has had cancer in the past . </Li> </Ul>

When is a breast cancer patient considered a survivor