If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, you may be experiencing a range of feelings, including disbelief, shock, fear, and anger. You will likely come to terms with your diagnosis and continue on with work, entertainment, and social relationships. Of course, there are times when finding strength is hard and the situation feels overwhelming. At times like these, there are many resources available to help. Remember, many cancer survivors feel that their diagnosis provided an opportunity to reevaluate their lives and find strengths and abilities that they did not know they had.
How is Cancer Treated?
The number of treatment choices available will depend on the type of cancer, the stage of cancer, and other individual factors (such as your age, health status, and personal preferences). The four major types of treatment for cancer are:
Surgery
Surgery is often the first treatment choice for many cancers. About 60% of all people with cancer have surgery. If the cancer appears to be contained to one area, surgery may remove it along with any surrounding tissue that might contain cancer cells.
Radiation
Like surgery, radiation therapy is used for localized cancers. It is used to destroy or damage cancer cells so much that they cannot multiply. External radiation therapy is painless (like having an x-ray picture taken). It is usually given in an outpatient setting. Treatment typically lasts five days a week for five to eight weeks, depending on the size, location, and type of cancer being treated. It can be used alone, or in addition to surgery or chemotherapy. More than half of all people with cancer have radiation treatment at some point.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. Depending on the type of cancer and its stage of development, chemotherapy can be used to cure cancer, to keep the cancer from spreading, to slow the cancer's growth, to kill cancer cells which have spread, or to relieve symptoms. Chemotherapy is treatment with powerful anticancer drugs that are most often given by injection into a vein or taken by mouth. This course of treatment often ranges from three to nine months.
Biologic Therapies
Biologic therapy is a promising new treatment for certain cancers. This form of treatment uses the body's immune system to fight cancer or lessen the side effects of some cancer treatments. Biologic therapy can act in several ways in cancer treatment: interfering with cancer cell growth, acting indirectly to help healthy cells (particularly immune cells), controlling cancer, and helping repair normal cells damaged by other forms of cancer treatment.
What to Ask ...
Your relationship with your physician is a critical part of your care. You should talk directly with your physician and ask any questions that you may have.
What type of cancer do I have? What stage is it in?
What treatment do you recommend? Why?
What is my prognosis?
What is the goal of treatment?
What are the possible risks or side effects of treatment?
Are there other treatments for me to consider?
How often will I need to come for treatment?
Will I need to make changes in my work, family life, or leisure time?
What are the names of the drugs I will take? What are they for?
What symptoms or problems should I report immediately?
Are there special foods I should eat or not eat?
What is the best time to call if I have a question?
The information above was taken from a booklet published by the American Cancer Society, "After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients & Families".
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