A cancer diagnosis is terrible news. Many have lost friends or family to this disease; however, more and more people are able to survive when we intervene promptly, accurately and thanks to more effective treatments. The most used medical therapies are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy; other factors that improve the chances of survival are good nutrition, regular physical activity, a support network and a positive approach. With proper medical treatment, good self-care, and support from other people, you can increase your chances of surviving this disease.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Reviewing Various Medical Options
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about the biopsy
Some cancers (for example, prostate, breast, lymphoma) are diagnosed more easily through a minor surgical procedure, called needle biopsy, during which a sample of tissue is taken with a long needle to look for cancer cells. This type of surgery is considered a diagnostic surgery, which aims to identify any abnormal cells.
- However, it not only aims to check for the presence of cancer cells in a certain area of the body, but also gives the doctor an idea of the type of cancer and the overall degree of aggression.
- The procedure carries a relatively low risk of other serious complications, such as infections, but some typical side effects are bruising, painful touch (for a few days or so), and light bleeding.
Step 2. Discuss curative and preventive surgery with your doctor
Some types of cancer, such as squamous cell skin cancer, can be completely removed and treated with surgery; for this reason, we speak of curative surgery. However, it is important to understand that most cancers are not completely eliminated with this procedure, as diseased cells often spread throughout the body, causing metastasis.
- The best time to remove a cancerous tumor is the early stage, before it spreads to other organs through the bloodstream.
- Sometimes, preventive (prophylactic) surgery is done to remove tissue (for example, the breast) that is more likely to become cancerous, although there are no signs of disease.
Step 3. Tell your doctor about radiotherapy
High-energy X-rays are used to kill or damage cancer cells in certain areas of the body by altering their genes (DNA). It is one of the most popular treatments for this disease (alone or in combination with other therapies); it can be very effective for lymphoma, lung cancer and various forms of skin cancers.
- However, it is not always able to kill diseased cells right away; Sometimes, it takes days or weeks of treatment before it starts to take effect.
- Cancer cells continue to die for months even at the end of the radiation sessions.
- This therapy can also burn healthy tissue and there is a small risk of triggering cancer cells due to its ability to alter DNA; for this reason, it is important to speak with your doctor to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages.
Step 4. Consult your oncologist about chemotherapy
It is a treatment in which drugs are used to kill cancer cells. While surgery and radiation therapy kill or damage diseased cells in specific areas of the body, chemotherapy works throughout the body, because the chemicals that are injected travel through the blood system; this treatment can kill cells that have metastasized away from the primary (original) tumor.
- Chemotherapy often shrinks tumors and / or stops the division of abnormal cells, but does not completely eliminate the cancer - its main action is to control and manage chronic disease.
- This therapy is often recommended for lung, ovarian, pancreatic and blood cancers.
- Unfortunately, it also kills healthy cells in the body, causing negative side effects.
Step 5. Consider targeted therapy as an alternative
As researchers have studied more deeply the triggers for the growth and spread of different types of cancer cells, they have developed drugs that target the abnormal cells. For this reason, this type of treatment is called targeted therapy; in essence, it is a more specific form of chemotherapy, which typically causes fewer and milder side effects.
- This treatment can be used as the main procedure for some forms of cancer, but is usually combined with standard chemotherapy, surgery and / or radiation therapy.
- As with traditional chemotherapy, targeted chemotherapy is also performed intravenously (directly into the veins) or by taking tablets; however, it tends to be more expensive than normal treatment.
Step 6. Learn about immunotherapy
This is a relatively new cure for cancer that can increase the chances of survival by using certain parts of the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. This reaction can occur either by encouraging the immune system to fight the diseased cells or by providing it with specific elements, such as particular proteins.
- Some types of immunotherapy are also called biological therapy, biotherapy, or cancer vaccine.
- Monoclonal antibodies are immune system proteins that attack specific parts of diseased cells.
- Immunotherapy is most effective for certain types of cancers when they are in a specific stage; you should therefore consult with your oncologist to assess whether this is a viable option for your situation.
Step 7. Learn about stem cell transplantation
They are sometimes used to treat certain cancers and increase the chances of survival. These are basically immature (undifferentiated) blood cells present in the bone marrow and blood; however, they are adaptable cells that can evolve into all types of blood cells and favor or even cure different types of cancer. Transplantation can be done to replace bone marrow and blood destroyed by cancer, chemotherapy, and / or radiation therapy.
- This procedure is most effective for cancers that affect the blood or the immune system, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
- Stem cells can be obtained from a donor (from his bone marrow) or taken from fetal tissue.
- This transplant is the most expensive procedure of any other type of cancer treatment.
Part 2 of 3: Adopting Other Survival Strategies
Step 1. Make an effort to eat right
In addition to getting treatment with an oncologist, another important factor in increasing your chances of surviving the disease is eating nutrient-rich foods. The body - especially the immune system - needs lots of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and healthy fats to fight cancer and other diseases. In addition, the body needs a lot of energy to deal with cancer (and other chronic diseases), so it is important to take in an adequate amount of calories every day.
- A healthy diet aimed at supporting cancer therapy should include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables (especially those rich in antioxidants, such as berries, grapes, broccoli and peppers), lean meat and fish, as well as whole grains with a lot of fiber.
- Cancer tends to develop thanks to sugar, especially refined sugar; therefore avoid soft drinks, milk chocolate, ice cream, candies, cakes, donuts and most sweets in general, if you have cancer.
Step 2. Get plenty of physical activity
Another way to strengthen the immune system and maintain a healthy weight is to do cardiovascular exercise every day; however, it is not easy to eat and exercise during some treatments, such as chemotherapy. The best cardiovascular exercises for cancer patients are brisk walking, hiking, cycling, swimming and jumping on the trampoline.
- Physical activity also improves blood circulation, strengthens bones and muscles, improves lung function, stimulates appetite, improves sleep quality, and lifts mood - all of which are important for effectively fighting cancer.
- Depending on the type of cancer and the stage in which it is, some exercises may be less suitable, so you should get a favorable opinion from the oncologist for whatever type of activity you decide to practice.
Step 3. Surround yourself with loved ones who can be supportive
A common factor in many long-term cancer survivors is the presence of friends and family who support them emotionally, spiritually and / or physically. Otherwise, being alone, with no one to lean on and who can be an emotional support, can significantly increase the risk of dying from all forms of cancer (as well as from many other diseases).
- If you are diagnosed with cancer, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed to the point of not informing friends and family. instead, you must say it immediately, so that they have time to "digest" the news and help you in their own way.
- If you do not have or cannot rely on friends or loved ones, there are many support groups, online or physical, that specifically treat this disease; check with your local hospital or church.
Step 4. Maintain a positive attitude
Although many miracles are attributed to the power of positive thinking, there is currently no scientific evidence that a positive approach (alone) offers benefits in treatments or improves the chances of surviving the disease. However, a positive spirit can improve the quality of life during and after cancer treatment, making the chance of survival more likely.
- A positive attitude likely makes you more physically active, more connected to friends and family, and allows you to continue normal social activities, all of which are associated with a lower risk of death.
- A positive approach also allows us to see cancer as a challenge or an obstacle to be overcome and not as a death sentence to be feared or dreaded.
Part 3 of 3: Reducing the Chances of Recurrence
Step 1. Get regular checkups or follow up treatment
Perhaps the most important aspect of surviving cancer in the long term is precisely that of performing timely checks after having undergone the treatments described so far, which have "cured" or made the disease regress. The main purpose of regular checkups is to check if there are still cancer cells or if they have spread to other parts of the body.
- Regular checkups (1 or 2 a year) can also help diagnose any other forms of cancer and evaluate any side effects caused by the therapies.
- Usually, you need to go to your family doctor or oncologist (cancer specialist) to review your medical history and undergo a physical exam, blood work, and / or diagnostic imaging tests (X-ray, MRI, computed tomography).
Step 2. Fight the stress
Although there are conflicting opinions as to whether chronic stress can actually induce cancer or directly cause it to return, there is no doubt that psychological strain in the long run weakens the immune system and hinders the ability to defend against the development of cancer. abnormal cells. For this reason, it is a good idea to relieve stress by using different practices, such as yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, deep breathing, and positive visualization. Join a group at your city's gym, church, or cultural association and learn how to apply these techniques appropriately.
- Face stressful situations head on, whether at work or at home, don't allow them to become chronic and negatively affect your health.
- Chronic stress can also trigger the development of certain behaviors that are related to an increased likelihood of getting cancer, such as smoking, excessive alcohol or food consumption.
Step 3. Keep your weight under control
Unlike those of normal weight, obese or overweight people are at greater risk of developing many diseases, including some cancers, especially those of the esophagus, pancreas, colon, rectum, breast, endometrium, kidneys, thyroid and gallbladder.. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight is one of the main aspects of increasing the chances of survival in the long term.
- Long-term weight loss depends on two main factors: reducing your daily calorie intake and exercising regularly (even just half an hour of walking each day).
- Most women manage to lose some weight each week by eating less than 2000 calories a day, despite only doing light exercise, while men should limit themselves to a daily calorie intake of less than 2200 calories.
- To lose weight or maintain a normal weight, eat lean meat and fish, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water. Avoid fast food, industrially processed, baked foods, candy, chocolate, and sodas.
Advice
- The life expectancy of a person with cancer varies greatly based on the type and stage of development of the disease at the time of diagnosis.
- The survival rate largely depends on the type of cancer: more than 85% of adults with breast, prostate, skin cancer live at least 5 years after diagnosis, while people with liver and pancreatic cancer have a much lower survival rate.
- Age and general health can also affect the chances of recovering from the disease; older people are less likely to survive because they generally suffer from other diseases and have a weaker immune system.
