Cancer Treatments
Chemotherapy is the most widely used treatment for combating cancer in the United States. Chemotherapy is mainly used to remove small clusters of cancer cells that have spread from the original cancer spot, to another place on the body. Chemotherapy is so successful at this, because Chemotherapy targets mainly rapidly dividing cells, destroying and hampering their growth within your body, as well as their ability to multiply and spread. However, cancer cells are no the only cell rapidly multiplying in your body; so the Chemotherapy can damage normal cells as well as cancerous ones.
The normal cells most affected by Chemotherapy are: the hair follicles, cells in the gastrointestinal tract, the mouth, the nose, and in the bone marrow. Keep in mind, however, that the normal cells have the advantage, as the body can repair the Chemotherapy damaged cells. While there are many drawbacks to experiencing Chemotherapy in order to treat your cancer, Chemotherapy has a good list of benefits as well. Make sure to consider both sides of Chemotherapy before going through, or dismissing, this kind of treatment.
Some of the side effects you may experience while undergoing Chemotherapy are:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hair Loss
• Fatigue and Anemia
• Mouth Sores
• Changes in taste and smell
• Diarrhea
• Memory Loss
• Temporary Nerve Damage
• Increased risk of Bleeding
Chemotherapy, even with this list of side effects, is a wonderful treatment for many cancer patients. And now more then ever, are there drugs that can help counteract the side-effects of Chemotherapy. These drugs can help you cope with the Chemotherapy treatment by restoring health, preventing memory loss, quelling bouts of nausea and vomiting, and restoring lost energy. There are even natural solutions to ease Chemotherapy’s side effects, such as special diets and herbal remedies. You can learn more about these types of treatments for Chemotherapy and its side effects at your cancer specialist’s office, as well as online. Now is the time to take control of your cancer, and regain your normal life!
Besides
chemotherapy and radiotherapy about 80% of Americans with cancer
user some other form of therapy. It is estimated that US healthcare
consumers spend about 27 billion each year on alternative
medical therapies.
The following are some alternative therapies that
may be included in a patient’s treatment plan:
· hypnosis
· massage
· biofeedback
· diet and herbs
· art therapy
· music therapy
· dance therapy
· distraction
· imagery
· yoga
· physical exercise
It is important to be an informed healthcare consumer when considering alternative
therapy. One should be aware of the limitations of the
therapy. Before starting therapy, one should consider the following:
· Consult with your physician.
· Use your library to research books, articles, and scientific journals.
· Use the Internet to do research.
· Look for information on controlled, scientific studies on the therapy
you are considering.
· Talk to others who have actually tried the therapy.
Radiation therapy which
is also known as radiotherapy is an effective way to destroy cancer
cells that may remain after a surgery is completed. Radiotherapy
involves use of high-energy rays like X-rays from cobalt or radioactive
iodine. Thus this therapy is also refereed to as x-ray therapy,
cobalt therapy. Radiotherapy reduces
the risk of recurrence.
Radiation therapy is relatively easy to tolerate, and its side
effects are limited to the area being treated.
Radiation therapy can be used to effectively treat many kinds of
cancer in almost any part of the human body. About half of all
patients with cancer are treated with radiotherapy.
Blogs
discussing this article on CancerBasics.info
• Find out about Causes and Prevention of cancer
• More Resources on Cancer topics
• Question and Answers on Cancer
• Learn more about cancer terms
