Is the cancer now under control? What is remission?

One of the best news for someone battling cancer or a family member is to hear, "Your disease is now in remission." The joy and relief you feel when you hear this is hard to put into words. In medicine, we have a special name for this state, and that is Remission . When you hear this word from your doctor, it is very important that you have a clear understanding of what it really means. So today, let's talk about what this remission is, what are its types, and how to live with it.

What is Remission? Let's understand it simply.

Simply put, remission is a period of time when your cancer symptoms are reduced or completely gone. This can last for months, years, or even your entire life.

But there is something very important to understand here. Remission does not mean that your cancer is completely cured . But it is a very important and happy milestone in your fight against cancer. It means that the treatment you have been given has been successful and the cancer is under control. This is a big victory for you and for the medical team treating you.

There are two types of remission.

Cancer remission can be divided into two main types: Complete Remission and Partial Remission. Let's see what the difference is between the two.

You may have heard of "spontaneous remission." This is when a cancer goes away without any conventional medical treatment. Although medical researchers have reported such cases, it's important to remember that this is extremely rare .

If my cancer is in remission, what happens next?

Once your cancer is in remission, the next steps will depend on the type of cancer you have. In some cases, your oncologist may tell you to start maintenance therapy.

What is Maintenance Therapy?

This is a long-term treatment that keeps the cancer in remission for as long as possible, without it coming back. This may involve taking a lower dose of medication or getting injections on a specific schedule.

During this time, it is very 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. The important thing about doing this is that if the cancer does start to recur, it can be detected early and treatment can be started quickly.

Does all cancer go into remission?

Not really. Not all cancers respond to the same treatments in the same way. Several factors affect whether a cancer goes into remission or not.

• Stage of cancer: In general, early-stage cancer is more likely to go into remission than metastatic cancer.
• Type of cancer: There are over 100 types of cancer. Each responds to treatment differently. It is usually more difficult to put a fast-growing (aggressive) cancer into remission and maintain that state.
• Modern Treatments: But with new treatments, even Stage IV cancers can sometimes go into partial or complete remission. If you have a more advanced stage of cancer, talk to your specialist about what to expect.

Why does cancer recur?

This is a problem and a fear for many people. The main reason why cancer recurs after going into remission is that the initial treatment did not kill all the cancer cells in the body.

Consider, some cancer cells are so small that they cannot even be detected by a scan. After treatment, these remaining cells can start to grow and spread again after a while. Also, sometimes cancer cells can adapt to be resistant to treatment, evade the treatment, and grow again.

But there is good news. Even if the cancer comes back, it can be put back into remission. Some patients go through cycles of remission and recurrence. When the cancer comes back, doctors try to control the cancer again, using the same treatment or new treatments.

How is it to live with remission?

The joy and relief you feel upon hearing that your cancer is in remission is indescribable. But along with that joy, there may also be a lingering fear of "Will it ever come back?" It can be a roller coaster of emotions. Below are some tips to help you adjust to this new normal.

• Talk openly with your doctor: While it's not possible to say exactly how long remission will last, he or she can explain what to expect going forward and what the symptoms might be if the cancer recurs.
• Maintain good habits: If you use tobacco products or alcohol, try to stop. Eat a healthy, nutritious diet that is good for your body. Seek the advice of a nutritionist if necessary.
• Exercise: Exercise can reduce stress and increase physical strength. But be sure to ask your doctor before starting a new exercise routine .
• Get plenty of rest: Cancer and its treatments can take a toll on your body. So make sure you get enough sleep. If you're having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about it.
• Share your story with others: Your family, friends, and coworkers may think that you're "totally better" now that you're in remission. True, you're better than before. But you're not completely cancer-free yet. So talk to them about your feelings and how you can help them adjust to this new situation.

Remission is the news you've been waiting for. It's a milestone in your cancer journey that's worth celebrating. It's also a great time to rethink your health and prepare for what's ahead. Your medical team is always there to support you on this journey.