We all know how difficult it is to fight cancer. But in the midst of this battle, there are moments that bring us great hope and allow us to breathe a little. One such special milestone is when cancer enters a state called ' Remission '. So, today we will talk about what this 'Remission' is, what happens during it, how long it lasts, and many other things that are important to you.
What exactly is remission?
Simply put, 'remission' is a period of time when the symptoms of cancer in your body are reduced or almost completely gone. Imagine, the difficulties, pains, and discomforts you had gradually decreased, sometimes to the point where you don't even notice them. This can last for months, years, or even your entire life.
But, there is something important that we need to understand here. Remission does not always mean that the cancer has been completely cured. However, it is a very important and happy turning point for you and the doctors who treat you. Because it means that the treatment has been successful and the cancer is under control.
What are the types of remission?
We are mainly talking about two types of remission .
1. What is Complete Remission?
This is the best we can hope for. Complete Remission means that there is no evidence of cancer in your body through medical tests, blood work, or imaging tests.
For example, imagine that you have lung cancer and it goes into ``Complete Remission.'' Then your symptoms (cough, wheezing, etc.) will be greatly reduced, and scans may not even show any signs of cancer.
However, being in ``Complete Remission`` does not mean that the cancer will never come back. Cancer cells can ``recur``. That is why doctors advise you to continue to follow your doctor's instructions and get tested regularly. Then, if the cancer does come back, it can be detected early and treatment can begin.
2. What is Partial Remission?
Partial remission is a condition in which the cancer is not completely gone, but has significantly shrunk and is under control. This can include:
- Imaging tests and blood work show that the cancer has shrunk by at least 50% compared to before.
- The growth of new cancer cells , meaning the cancer may have stopped growing .
In some types of cancer, such as blood cancer, partial remission means that the number of cancer cells in the blood has decreased.
You may have heard of something called "spontaneous remission." This is when a cancer goes away on its own without any specific medical treatment. Although medical researchers have reported cases of this, it's important to remember that this is a very, very rare occurrence .
What happens next when cancer is in remission?
What happens after your cancer goes into remission can vary depending on the type of cancer you have. In some cases, your oncologist may start something called " maintenance therapy ."
Maintenance therapy is a type of treatment that is given continuously to keep the cancer in remission for as long as possible and prevent it from coming back. This can take the form of pills, injections, or other treatments.
It's also important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your health. Your doctor will do blood tests and scans at regular intervals to check for any recurrence of the cancer. This is important because if your cancer is coming out of remission, the sooner you can identify it, the sooner your medical team can start treatment.
Does all cancer go into remission? Does everyone have this luck?
In fact, not all cancers go into remission. There may be several reasons for this:
- Generally, if cancer is detected early, there is a greater chance of going into remission. If the cancer has spread far and has spread to other organs (metastatic cancer), it may be more difficult to go into remission.
- There are more than 100 types of cancer. Each type of cancer responds differently to treatment. Some cancers go into remission quickly, while others don't.
- It is very difficult to put and maintain remission in aggressive, rapidly growing cancers .
- However, with new cancer treatments, some (but not all) stage IV cancers can go into partial remission or complete remission. If you have a more advanced form of cancer, talk to your oncologist about what you can expect.
How long does remission last?
This is a question that many people ask. Remission can last for months or even years. This period of time varies from person to person. There are several factors that affect it:
- Type of cancer
- The stage of the cancer
- How the cancer responded to initial treatments
Therefore, even your doctor may not be able to say exactly how long your remission will last.
Well, why does cancer come back after going into remission?
Although this is truly heartbreaking, sometimes a cancer that has gone into remission can recur. This can be caused by:
- Because cancer treatments don't kill all the cancer cells in the body, sometimes there may be very small cancer cells left in the body that we can't see or even detect on scans. Over time, these cells can grow back and the cancer can come back.
- Sometimes, cancer cells change to become resistant to treatment and find ways to grow again.
Can a recurrent cancer be put into remission again?
Yes, it can happen. Some people go through cycles of going into remission, having the cancer come back (recurrence), being treated again, and going into remission. When the cancer comes back, doctors try to put the cancer back into remission using the same treatment or new treatments.
What is it really like to live with cancer in remission?
While the thought of being in remission can be a source of great joy and relief, it can also be a source of fear, wondering, "Will this disease ever come back?" This can feel like a roller coaster ride . One moment you're happy, the next, you're sad and scared.
So, here are some things that can help you deal with these feelings and live a healthy life while in remission:
- Ask your oncologist what you can expect. While he or she can't say exactly how long the remission will last, he or she can tell you what the symptoms are if the cancer comes back and how to monitor for them.
- Establish good habits and continue the good habits you have.
- If you smoke or drink alcohol, try to stop. These can increase the chance of cancer coming back.
- Eat a healthy diet that is good for you. It is a good idea to consult a nutritionist to create a meal plan that is right for you.
- Increase your physical activity. This can help reduce stress and increase your energy levels. However, be sure to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
- Join a cancer survivorship program. Having cancer and being in remission and fearing it will come back can be stressful. Programs like these can help you deal with those challenges and learn from the experiences of others.
- Make time to rest. Cancer and cancer treatments can take a toll on your body. So, it's important to get enough sleep. If you're having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about it.
- Share your story and your feelings with others. Your coworkers, friends, and family may think you're "all good" now because your cancer is in remission. You're better than you were before, but you're not completely cancer-free (at least not yet). So, let your loved ones know how they can help you adjust to your new normal.
The most important things to remember to take home!
The news you've been waiting for and anxiously waiting for is here: "You're now in remission!" Your cancer treatment has put you in either complete remission or partial remission. This means you no longer have any symptoms of cancer, or your cancer has stopped growing due to treatment.
This may not be a complete ``cure'' yet. But even so, this is a very important and exciting milestone in your cancer journey. It is also a great time to think about your health in a new way and prepare for the next step. Your doctors are always ready to help you on this journey. So, don't be afraid to talk to them and ask any questions that you have.
` Cancer, remission, cancer, remission, cancer cure, cancer treatment, cancer recurrence
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