Having and treating cancer is a stressful and physically demanding experience that alters the balance of one's life—sometimes in a depressing and negative way, while others turn it into positive energy and lifestyle changes. This blog reflects the latter of the post cancer effects. Quality of Life Concerns and the Search for Autonomy
Full Answer
What do I need to know about cancer treatment?
Get basic information about some of the most common types of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Cancer treatments can cause many side effects. Learn about some of the most common, like hair loss, neutropenia, lymphedema, and cancer pain.
What are the different types of cancer treatment?
Cancer Treatment. There are many types of cancer treatment. The types of treatment that you have will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
How many treatments do people with cancer have?
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
What is the patient's interest in the cancer journey?
The patient's interest is always the basis of decision making. In experiencing the cancer journey, the hope that a patient develops is based largely on the trust in their cancer team; and knowing that whatever happens, and whatever decisions are made will be done only with their best interest in mind.
What are the experiences of cancer patient?
Major concerns of our patients include fear of death and pain, changes in interpersonal relationships and financial constraints. Only 66% of the patients wanted to be given a prognosis by their clinicians and just 70% of the patients recalled being given a detailed prognosis.
What are the treatment for cancers?
The most common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Other options include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, laser, hormonal therapy, and others. Here is an overview of the different treatments for cancer and how they work. Surgery is a common treatment for many types of cancer.
What are 5 types of cancer treatment?
Types of Cancer TreatmentSurgery.Chemotherapy.Radiation Therapy.Targeted Therapy.Immunotherapy.Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant.Hormone Therapy.
What is the latest treatment for cancer?
A groundbreaking drug called pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immune checkpoint inhibitor, was designed to stop the action of an immune system-blocking protein called PD-L1 so that immune cells can destroy cancer. The concentration of PD-L1 in cancer cells can be higher than 90%, making it a highly targetable protein.
What are treatment options?
Treatment OptionsRadiation therapy.Chemotherapy/Infusion.Clinical trials.Inpatient care.Rehabilitation.
How many types of treatment are there?
Three principal types of medical treatment Curative – to cure a patient of an illness. Palliative – to relieve symptoms from an illness. Preventative – to avoid the onset of an illness.
Where is the best treatment for cancer?
The Top 5 Countries For Cancer TreatmentAustralia. Whilst Australia suffers high levels of certain types of cancers, such as skin, prostate, lung, bowel and breast, it has the lowest cancer mortality rate in the world3 – which is a huge achievement. ... The Netherlands. ... USA. ... Canada. ... Finland.
What is the most successful cancer treatment?
Top of the best cancer drug list is Celgene's Revlimid (lenalidomide). This drug has been very successful in the treatment of multiple myeloma as it promotes immune responses that slow tumour growth. It is also used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
How do doctors remove cancer?
Traditionally, the primary purpose of cancer surgery is to cure your cancer by removing all of it from your body. The surgeon usually does this by cutting into your body and removing the cancer along with some surrounding healthy tissue to ensure that all of the cancer is removed.
Can cancer be permanently cured?
Cancer is a group of diseases that we may never be able to cure completely, but scientists are optimistic that vaccines, personalised medicine and smart lifestyle choices will help prevent and treat a much greater proportion of cases than currently happens.
How is Stage 4 cancer treated?
Stage 4 cancer usually can't be cured. In addition, because it will have spread throughout the body, it is unlikely it can be completely removed. The goal of treatment is to prolong survival and improve quality of life.
What are side effects of cancer treatment?
Some of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment include pain and fatigue, anemia, mouth problems, nausea/weight change/dietary issues, and hair, skin and nail problems. Pain. The term “pain” describes a broad category of types of symptoms and it is common to all cancers and cancer treatments.
What kind of treatment is needed for cancer?
Some people with cancer will have only one treatment. But most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. You may also have immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy.
Is it normal to be overwhelmed with cancer?
When you need treatment for cancer, you have a lot to learn and think about. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and confused. But, talking with your doctor and learning all you can about all your treatment options, including clinical trials, can help you make a decision you feel good about.
What is the hope of cancer?
In experiencing the cancer journey, the hope that a patient develops is based largely on the trust in their cancer team; and knowing that whatever happens, and whatever decisions are made will be done only with their best interest in mind.
What does cancer evoke?
For starters, the word cancer evokes fear and anxiety, and especially in the older population, a sense of hopelessness.
What is the importance of the relationship between oncologist and patient?
The establishment of and the necessary adjustments in the relationship between oncologist and patient is ideally a priority item. Absent the right human chemistry, the long and trying treatment of a given cancer can be substantially more difficult. Things don't always go as designed and then, the ability to fall back on solid human relationships assumes importance
Can cancer affect sex?
The cancer experience (including treatment and emotional aftermath) can and often alter the sex life of both the patient and partner. The two are not, however, mutually exclusive, depending on the specific cancer and the relationship of the partners.
Is alternative cancer treatment scientifically proven?
While alluring, alternative cancer treatments are, by and large, not yet scientifically proven. Until properly investigated, such methods should not be used. That said, it is important that we remain open to and interested in promoting innovative and unconventional ideas.
How soon after cancer diagnosis can you start treatment?
Most people want to start treatment right away. They worry that the extra time taken to do tests or make decisions will take up precious time that could be spent fighting the cancer. Cancer treatment should start very soon after diagnosis, but for most cancers, it won’t hurt to wait a few weeks to begin treatment.
What is supportive care for cancer?
Sometimes called palliative care, supportive care helps keep people with cancer from having severe pain, nausea, or other symptoms. It’s care that aims to treat symptoms, not cancer. It helps the person feel as good as possible for as long as possible. The person who refuses cancer care may be open to hospice.
How long does it take to find out if you have cancer?
It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to find out if it’s cancer and, if so, what kind of cancer. This is a difficult time for the patient as well as for loved ones who are aware of the possibility of cancer. Some notice that they think of worst-case scenarios and wonder if they’ll lose their loved one.
What happens when you have cancer?
When a person has cancer, they go through different stages. Your understanding and your care will change over time, too. There will be times when you don’t know what will happen next, and with an illness as serious as cancer, that’s a scary place to be. But there are no guarantees in cancer care.
How to stay healthy after cancer?
Remember to take care of yourself, as well as the person with cancer. Find ways to help yourself relax. Make time for regular exercise, and be as active as you can.
Can cancer treatment be short?
Treatment can be long or fairly short, but even short treatments tend to disrupt a person’s life for several weeks. As the caregiver, your life and your family’s lives may be disrupted, too. You may find that you need to take time off from work. See If You Are About to Become a Cancer Caregiver for more on this.
Can you blame yourself for cancer?
Be careful not to look at your loved one’s progress and good days as proof of your caregiving skills. If you do this, you’ll be more likely to blame yourself when they have bad days and set-backs. Uncertainties and highs and lows are part of dealing with cancer – no one, not even the best caregiver, can control them.
Overview
Cancer is a disease that develops when cells in your body divide at a faster rate than normal. These abnormal cells grow into a lump — or tumor.
Symptoms and Causes
Several factors contribute to the development of cancer in your body. Smoking and using tobacco products is one of the main causes of:
Diagnosis and Tests
In order to treat your cancer, your healthcare provider needs to know the location of the tumor, the stage (whether it has spread) and whether you are strong enough to handle the treatment. They will perform a comprehensive examination and ask you about your symptoms. They may also order certain tests, including:
Management and Treatment
Once your medical team has given you a diagnosis, they’ll design a personalized treatment plan based on their findings. Cancer treatment may include:
Prevention
Though cancer can’t be prevented altogether, there are certain things you can do to reduce your risk. For example:
Living With
If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, it’s important to bring any issues to the attention of your healthcare provider. Call your oncology team if you notice:
What are some ways to help cancer patients?
Many cancer patients find that yoga, acupuncture, vitamins and herbs, and other types of health practices help them. Watch a short video about complementary and alternative medicine. Let your health care team know if you are using any of these medicines.
What are the consequences of cancer?
Surviving cancer has physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial consequences that start with diagnosis and continue through treatment and beyond . It also includes issues related to follow-up treatment, side effects of treatment, the risk of getting cancer again, and your quality of life.
Can you get an infection from chemotherapy?
If you are treated with chemotherapy, you’re more likely to get an infection. Get tips on how to avoid infections, and other ways to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.
Is cancer a survivor?
When you have been diagnosed with cancer, you are considered a cancer survivor from that moment throughout the rest of your life. Surviving cancer has physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial consequences that start with diagnosis and continue through treatment and beyond.
What are the symptoms of cancer?
Symptoms as a result of cancer disease and treatment are both pervasive and persistent despite cancer type, disease stage or treatment received.1,5Symptoms such as pain and fatigue represent two of the most common symptoms present in individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
What is the most common persistent symptom of cancer?
Prevalent and/or persistent symptoms cause distress by interference with activities of daily living and their ability to impair quality of life.8Despite advances in pain management, pain remains a common persistent symptom among persons with cancer.
Patient Empowered Care
When facing cancer, one of the most important decisions you will make is where to go for treatment. If you're considering Cancer Treatment Centers of America ® (CTCA), we make getting to one of our hospitals as easy, stress-free and affordable as possible, as part of our signature Patient Empowered Care® model.
What is the CTCA patient experience like?
CTCA ® recognizes that no two cancer patients, and no two cancers, are exactly the same. Every patient’s care plan, from treating the disease to managing related side effects, is designed to meet his or her needs and treatment goals.
Christine B
"Today, with my CTCA care team by my side, I am more hopeful than ever about the road ahead. The genomic testing performed at CTCA assisted my doctors in prescribing the appropriate medication, and I will continue to take it for as long as I can."
How is chronic cancer described?
A doctor may use the term controlled if tests or scans show that the cancer is not changing over time. Another way of defining control would be calling the disease stable. Cancers like this are watched closely to be sure that they don’t start growing.
How is chronic cancer treated?
Most people want to do anything possible to treat cancer, whether it’s the first treatment or the second or third one. Your doctor will talk to you about your treatment options. You may also decide to get a second opinion or get treated at a comprehensive cancer center that has more experience with your type of cancer.
Living with uncertainty
Here are some ideas that have helped others feel more hopeful and deal with the uncertainty and fear of cancer that doesn’t go away:
Grief and loss
It’s normal to feel sad when you find out that the cancer cannot be cured. This sadness may not go away, even if you know that there’s a good chance you can live a long time with cancer. You may find yourself grieving the loss of what you thought would be your future. This is hard for anyone to handle without emotional support.
Dealing with depression
Some degree of depression and anxiety is common in people who are coping with cancer every day. But when a person is emotionally upset for a long time and is having trouble with their day-to-day activities, they may have depression or severe anxiety that needs medical attention.
Getting support
Support in any form allows you to talk about your feelings and develop coping skills. Studies have shown that many people who take part in support groups have a better quality of life, including better sleep and appetite.
Family members, loved ones, and caregivers
You may worry about how your illness and care will affect your family and loved ones. This is a very tough journey to travel alone, and everyone needs help and support from those close to them. It can be hard to know how to start – who to talk to and what to say. You may want to read Telling Others About Your Cancer .
