Can we talk about cancer treatment simply and without fear?

When we hear the word "cancer," many of us feel a great fear. It's very common. But today, science has advanced a lot. That's why cancer is not an incurable disease. There are more than a hundred types of cancer, and there are special treatments for each of them today. So if you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer, before you panic, let's talk a little about these treatments.

How is cancer treatment decided?

Remember, not every illness is treated with the same medicine. Not every cough is treated with the same medicine for a fever. It's the same with cancer. The oncologist who treats you will look at several factors to determine what treatment is best for you.

Simply put, these are the things they think about the most:

• Type of cancer: What type of cancer you have. Treatment for breast cancer may be different than treatment for lung cancer.
• Stage of the cancer: How far the cancer has spread and how big it is. The treatment for early-stage cancer is different from the treatment for more advanced cancer.
• The rate of growth of the cancer: Some cancer cells divide very quickly, meaning they are very "aggressive." Some grow very slowly. This rate also determines treatment.
• Your overall health: Can you tolerate this treatment? Your age and whether you have other medical conditions are important here.
• Treatment goals: Sometimes the main goal of treatment is to cure the cancer completely. Other times, the goal is to control the cancer, reduce the symptoms, and help you live comfortably (this is called palliative care ).

What are these main cancer treatments?

There are times when only one method is used as a cancer treatment. But most of the time, the treatment plan is made by combining several treatment methods together. Let's now see what these main treatment methods are.

1. Surgery

This is the most common method used to remove cancerous tumors that have not spread. During surgery, doctors remove the part of the tumor that contains the cancer cells along with a small amount of healthy tissue around it. The removed healthy tissue is then examined to see if any cancer cells remain.

But not all cancers can be treated with surgery. For example, if the cancer has spread to a vital organ like the heart or brain, or if it has become involved with a major blood vessel, surgery can be risky. Also, blood cancers or cancers that have spread throughout the body (metastasized cancer) cannot be removed with surgery alone.

2. Radiation Therapy

This involves using high-energy radiation (similar to X-rays, but much more powerful) to destroy cancer cells. This radiation damages the DNA of the cancer cells, causing them to stop dividing and die.

There are several main methods for this:

• External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): A large machine outside the body directs a beam of radiation aimed only at the site of the cancer.
• Internal Radiation Therapy: Very small, radioactive pellets are placed inside or near the tumor. This destroys the cancer cells from within.
• Hyperthermia Therapy: This uses heat to destroy cancer cells. Sometimes this method makes other treatments (like chemotherapy) more effective.

Often, after surgery, radiation therapy is used to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, or "chemo" as we call it, is a type of medicine that is given to kill cancer cells. When these medicines enter the body's bloodstream, they travel throughout the body with the blood. The specialty of these medicines is that they seek out and destroy rapidly dividing cells in the body. Cancer cells are also a type of cell that divides very quickly, so chemo drugs destroy them.

This is a very effective treatment for cancers that have spread throughout the body, and for cancers that have recurred after treatment.

4. Hormone Therapy

Some hormones in our bodies (especially sex hormones) help some types of cancer grow. Think of it this way: just as a plant needs water and nutrients to grow, some cancers need hormones to grow. This treatment works by either reducing or stopping the action of those hormones.

This treatment method is often used for certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.

5. Immunotherapy

This is a very interesting treatment. Simply put, it trains your own immune system to fight cancer.

Normally, our immune system can recognize and destroy things like germs and viruses that enter the body. But cancer cells are very cunning. They know how to hide from our immune system. So what this treatment does is help the immune system recognize cancer cells that are hiding like that. Then our own body's "army" goes in and destroys the cancer cells.

6. Targeted Therapy

This is also a new, very advanced treatment. Cancer cells develop because of changes (mutations) in their DNA. These changes cause the cancer cells to produce special proteins that help them grow. Targeted therapy is a type of medicine that specifically targets and attacks those specific proteins.

This is like a "smart missile" that only attacks enemy targets in a war, avoiding harm to ordinary people. This means that there is very little damage to healthy cells.

A few more words to know about treatment

You may hear the doctor use words like these when explaining treatment. It's best to simply know their meaning.

Let's also learn about the side effects of treatments.

When cancer treatments kill cancer cells, they can sometimes damage healthy cells in our bodies. That's why side effects occur. But remember, not everyone gets the same side effects. Some people can complete treatment without any problems.

Let's see what are the common side effects.

How can I make this treatment period a little easier for me?

Going through cancer treatment can be challenging, both physically and mentally. But there are things you can do to make it a little easier for yourself.

• Be informed: Learn as much as you can about your condition and treatment. The more you know, the less unnecessary fear you may have.
• Ask questions: Ask your doctor and nurses any questions you have. Don't think, "Is this a stupid question?"
• Ask for help: It may be difficult for you to do everything alone during this time. Don't be shy about asking for help from family and friends.
• Eat well: Eat as much good, nutritious food as possible. This will give your body the strength to withstand treatment.
• Talk to people who have had similar experiences: Join support groups for cancer patients. Talking to someone who has been through the same thing as you can be a great source of mental strength.

When should I call my doctor?

If you notice any new changes in your body, new symptoms, or increased discomfort during your treatment, let your doctor know right away. Don't ignore it as something minor.

Sometimes, medication can be given to control the symptoms. Other times, the dosage of your medication or the treatment regimen may need to be changed. Therefore, it is essential to maintain regular contact with your doctor.