With the many methods available, it helps to understand how each works, and the changes and side effects you will experience.
Cancer is the umbrella term for diseases caused by abnormal cell growth, or when cells divide uncontrollably. Though a diagnosis strikes fear, it need not mean the end of the road. There are ways to remove tumours or slow their spread.
Surgery
Removing the diseased part of the body is one of the important procedures when cancer is at early stage or localised. Keyhole surgery comes with fewer scars and a shorter recovery time, while robot assisted surgery can enhance precision and control.
Be prepared for changes in appearance, from scars to major changes such as breast removal for breast cancer; changes in bodily functions as the organ operated on may stop working normally; side effects like pain, hampered movement and other symptoms related to blood loss. These side effects may or may not disappear over time.
Doctors will ensure as little disruption to function as possible, and restore pre-surgery appearance and function as far as possible. If a breast is removed, for example, implants or breast reconstruction may be recommended to help regain normality in appearance.
Chemotherapy
This process employs drugs to target infected or rapidly-dividing cells. But cancer cells are not the only ones affected; other cells, such as those causing hair to grow and those in the intestines and mouth, will be in the line of fire as they divide quickly too.
Be prepared for hair loss, nausea, diarrhoea and low blood cell count in some cases.
Some of these are unavoidable but the majority can be managed with medication or other methods. For instance, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can be totally avoided with the latest advances in supportive medications. Low blood counts can be ameliorated or avoided with blood stem cell boosters.Hair will grow back after completion of the treatment.
Targeted therapy
This is a newer, more specific form of chemotherapy, where the drug or “magic bullet” injected into the body latches on to a special signature – specific molecules on the cell surface – to kill cancer cells or activate the immune system to destroy them.
Although highly selective, there is still a risk of the drug binding onto other cells, since cancer cells are derived from our own previously normal cells.
Be prepared for rashes and dry skin.
Medication can control these side effects (fewer than in traditional chemotherapy).
Immunotherapy
This therapy engages your own immune system to destroy the cancer. White blood cells usually fight off foreign invaders and destroy aberrant cells, but cancer cells are able to evade them. The cancer cells can either camouflage their presence or suppress the strength of the white blood cells.
This method uses molecules to reactivate immune cells to swoop in for the kill. Our immune cells can wipe out cancer cells very quickly. Recent results show very promising treatment effects; in some cases, cancer cells disappear for a very long time.
Be prepared for immune inflammatory side effects in a few cases but most experience no major side effects.
Radiation therapy
High-energy radiation can be used to kill cancer cells or shrink tumours, with the surrounding areas taking in only a small amount of radiation. The radiation will damage the DNA of cancer cells, which leads to their death or halts their division.
Be prepared for redness, itchiness, rashes, fatigue, mouth ulcers or diarrhoea; depending on the area of radiation, regular 5-15 minute sessions, about 5 times per week.
Most of these side effects cease once treatment ends. Cancer is mostly curable if discovered early. and these are the trade-offs to and these are the trade-offs to halt the disease’s progression.
The enormity of a cancer diagnosis cannot be understated, especially as the disease grows more prevalent globally. Cancer is the top cause of death in Singapore, according to the National Registry of Diseases.
Many people may be at a loss and fear the worst due to either a lack of information on cancer management or having seen a loved one suffer.
Those reactions are understandable, but patients should not let this stop them from seeking treatment. If cancer patients spiral into denial and delay taking action, the time wasted will decrease their chances of managing or even surviving the disease.
Ongoing advances in the medical field are creating more targeted and effective ways of managing cancer. Couple this with early detection and the statistics become very promising. Detecting the disease early means a higher rate of cure, with common cancers such as colorectal and breast achieving more than 90% when they are caught early.
With these cutting-edge treatments, life expectancy can be extended, and quality of life kept at a satisfactory state, even for those with late stage cancer.
A complete cure is not the same as the disease going into remission; it means the cancer is not expected to return. This result may be possible, depending on the type and stage of cancer, with little or no significant impact on daily functional life.
With new, effective cancer treatment modalities, getting a positive diagnosis does not mean the worst case. If cancer patients spiral into denial and delay taking action, the time wasted will decrease their chances of managing or even surviving the disease.
Early Detection Is Crucial
Treatment is easier if the disease is found at the early stage. Monitoring bodily changes and functions, and screening tests such as mammography for women above 40 will alert you to discrepancies. The sooner the cancer is discovered, the better your chances of successful treatment and survival. So go for health checkups and screenings regularly, especially if you are older and have a higher risk of developing cancer.
Advances In Therapies
The biggest factor that separates these newer treatments from more conventional ones boils down to the molecular level
As we get more familiar with cells at the molecular level, we are able to predict or gauge their responses more accurately. This results in more effective treatments.
For more information, visit Novena Cancer Centre, #09-41, 38 Irrawaddy Road. Singapore 329563. Tel: 6339 0233.
