WHAT ARE CANCERS?
It is always good to speak about cancers in the plural. It is true they are all characterised by an uncontrolled growth of cells which have become abnormal cells, and which sometimes spread to other parts of the body in what is called metastases. However it is difficult to generalise about “cancer” and it is becoming increasingly common to speak about breast cancers or prostate cancers recognising that although the disorder may look the same when examined through a microscope there are a number of different types of breast cancer and prostate cancer, and almost certainly all other cancers too determined by the person’s genetic makeup.
What is clear is that prevention is still a vital importance even though the treatment for cancer is getting more effective every year.
Why are cancers important?
Cancers are important obviously because they are still a leading cause of death. They are also important because the treatment is complex, and it needs well-coordinated health services to deliver the treatment.
Also of great importance is the psychological impact of cancer and the recognition of the fact that in addition to receiving the best chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery it is also important to pay attention to anxiety and depression, and one way of doing this is by promoting activity once the acute phase of treatment is over.
Why is it important to understand about cancers?
Perhaps the most important thing is to understand the need to be cautious about any generalisations about “cancer” and even about a particular type of cancer such as colon cancer or breast cancer. Increasingly, clinicians will try to identify which particular subtype of cancer the person has.
One obvious reason for doing this is that they can provide the effective treatment. Another very important reason is that the clinician is then able to decide not to provide a particular course of chemotherapy if the cancer is of the sort which has been shown not to respond to that type of chemotherapy. In the past many people have had chemotherapy with no chance of success but with a risk of side-effects. Fortunately with modern science this is becoming less common and is called a personalised approach to cancer.
Can the condition be reduced or reversed?
It is certainly possible now to talk about cancer being cured. Doctors increasingly regard cancer as a long term condition, namely something the person will have to live with rather than assuming it is
something that will kill them, but this requires early diagnosis and effective treatment. What is also recognised is the need to reverse the adverse psychological effects that often follow the diagnosis for both the individual affected and their family.
What can be done?
Cancer requires specialised treatment. Fortunately the NHS has well organised networks which may require some travel to go to a specialist centre, for example one that supplies radiotherapy. The key issue is to understand the options and there may come a point in treatment where it is necessary to ask will the side-effects of an additional round of chemotherapy be justified by the benefit? For example someone who has had eight rounds of chemotherapy and is offered a ninth round even though the cancer is still spreading throughout the body will want to ask “how much value do I place on an extra three months of life, or perhaps less, in comparison to the side effects I know will occur. This of course links to the elephant in the room the question of death and dying and how you want to be treated in the last months and weeks of life.
There is also strong evidence that once the acute phase of treatment is over activity is very beneficial for people with cancer and, for example, it is recommended and supported routinely in Australia and there is a new charity in the UK also devoted to promoting activity for people with cancer. Like all forms of activity the effects are both physical and mental. People who simply sit at home worrying about their cancer and its treatment, and looking it up on the internet and there are plenty of scare stories often have preventable anxiety and depression.
There are very good websites for people with cancer, notably that of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Relief.
It is always good to speak about cancers in the plural. It is true they are all characterised by an uncontrolled growth of cells which have become abnormal cells, and which sometimes spread to other parts of the body in what is called metastases. However it is difficult to generalise about “cancer” and it is becoming increasingly common to speak about breast cancers or prostate cancers recognising that although the disorder may look the same when examined through a microscope there are a number of different types of breast cancer and prostate cancer, and almost certainly all other cancers too determined by the person’s genetic makeup.
What is clear is that prevention is still a vital importance even though the treatment for cancer is getting more effective every year.
Why are cancers important?
Cancers are important obviously because they are still a leading cause of death. They are also important because the treatment is complex, and it needs well-coordinated health services to deliver the treatment.
Also of great importance is the psychological impact of cancer and the recognition of the fact that in addition to receiving the best chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery it is also important to pay attention to anxiety and depression, and one way of doing this is by promoting activity once the acute phase of treatment is over.
Why is it important to understand about cancers?
Perhaps the most important thing is to understand the need to be cautious about any generalisations about “cancer” and even about a particular type of cancer such as colon cancer or breast cancer. Increasingly, clinicians will try to identify which particular subtype of cancer the person has.
One obvious reason for doing this is that they can provide the effective treatment. Another very important reason is that the clinician is then able to decide not to provide a particular course of chemotherapy if the cancer is of the sort which has been shown not to respond to that type of chemotherapy. In the past many people have had chemotherapy with no chance of success but with a risk of side-effects. Fortunately with modern science this is becoming less common and is called a personalised approach to cancer.
Can the condition be reduced or reversed?
It is certainly possible now to talk about cancer being cured. Doctors increasingly regard cancer as a long term condition, namely something the person will have to live with rather than assuming it is
something that will kill them, but this requires early diagnosis and effective treatment. What is also recognised is the need to reverse the adverse psychological effects that often follow the diagnosis for both the individual affected and their family.
What can be done?
Cancer requires specialised treatment. Fortunately the NHS has well organised networks which may require some travel to go to a specialist centre, for example one that supplies radiotherapy. The key issue is to understand the options and there may come a point in treatment where it is necessary to ask will the side-effects of an additional round of chemotherapy be justified by the benefit? For example someone who has had eight rounds of chemotherapy and is offered a ninth round even though the cancer is still spreading throughout the body will want to ask “how much value do I place on an extra three months of life, or perhaps less, in comparison to the side effects I know will occur. This of course links to the elephant in the room the question of death and dying and how you want to be treated in the last months and weeks of life.
There is also strong evidence that once the acute phase of treatment is over activity is very beneficial for people with cancer and, for example, it is recommended and supported routinely in Australia and there is a new charity in the UK also devoted to promoting activity for people with cancer. Like all forms of activity the effects are both physical and mental. People who simply sit at home worrying about their cancer and its treatment, and looking it up on the internet and there are plenty of scare stories often have preventable anxiety and depression.
There are very good websites for people with cancer, notably that of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Relief.