Is incurable the same as terminal?

Good morning , i was wondering the same actually, i have prostate cancer stage 5, i am starting chemo in the next couple of weeks which i am quite worried about to be honest . My oncologist told me I have 5 to 6 years. Is this classed as terminal as he said my cancer can’t be reversed just managed . I am 56

Hi Cooper827,

 I don't know if they use the term terminal any more I think it is just incurable. When my wife was given her incurable stage 4 prognosis she was told in blunt terms that this disease will kill you and do you understand that this will shorten your life, which was a shock. at the minute after months of chemo she is free of cancer but we don't know how long it will last. Just keep hoping.

I’ve been wondering the same thing since my dad was to.d about his cancers a couple of weeks ago.  There’s no treatment plan as they’re still doing biopsies of lymph nodes etc, but we were told “it’s not curable” and he was being “referred to the chest team” who are going to review his lung cancer.  The bowel cancer which was found first could have been treated with surgery etc but now the lungs have stopped them even trying that.  I know phrases and ways the put things change but I’ve seen so many guidelines for help etc that ask the question “is it terminal”. 

These are uncomfortable words no matter how you read them however, a lot of this revolves around the use of language. Many health care professionals will use the phrase ‘incurable’ as it is perhaps considered a less severe way of explaining that a diagnosis means the possibility of end of life.

The question needs to be asked if there is any doubt but that needs to be balanced with the right support network. I understand why ‘incurable’ is used because it has less gravity than the word ‘terminal’ because terminal is a very harsh word in isolation but some people will respond to that better? I am sure you’ll find many differing attitudes but if there is doubt I would suggest that asking the question so that the difference (if any) can be established…