Can a doctor say exactly how long someone with advanced cancer will live?

No. No one can say for certain how long a person with advanced cancer will live.

It is normal to want to know how long you will have, and to want to prepare for what lies ahead. But predicting how long someone will live is difficult. A doctor must take into account the type of cancer, treatment, past illnesses, and other factors. Your doctor may be able to give you an estimate, but it is a guess.

Some people live long past the time a doctor first predicted, while others live a shorter time. An infection or other complication could also change things. Because the future is uncertain for everyone, many people find comfort in focusing on living fully and for today, while still preparing for what may come.