Common Cancer Treatments

Many people die from cancer each year. New technology has helped decrease the death rate. There are many types of cancer treatments available. The most common types of cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Surgery is used when cancer is in one place and is unlikely to have spread to different places. It removes most or the entire tumor to decrease the possibility of further spreading. Surgery can even sometimes cure the cancer. Side effects include those of many surgeries depending on what type of cancer the patient has. For example: scars, future fertility issues, emotional problems, and pain. Surgery can be used for many types of cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer’s that uses surgery as a cure.

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells and damages DNA so that the division of the cells slows down. A beam of radiation is aimed at the body by a machine. This can cover large areas of the body. Brachytherapy is when radioactive pellets are placed in the body near the cancer. Skin changes such as dryness, itchiness, peelings, and blisters are common side effects of radiation therapy. Fatigue is also common along with Diarrhea, Hair loss, vomiting, swelling, etc. The side effects will vary due to the area of treatment. Most side effects usually only last two months after radiation therapy ends, but some side effects may occur even six or more months after the end of therapy.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Different drugs are used for different types of cancer. A combination of drugs can be used. The drugs in chemotherapy can be taken orally, under the skin, or intraperitoneally. Many side effects are caused by chemotherapy. The type of drugs taken cause different side effects and they include: Nausea, dehydration, loss of appetite, hair loss, fatigue, mouth sores, and tingling or burning in hands or feet. Chemotherapy can be used as a cure but is commonly used alongside surgery or radiation therapy as a treatment.

Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, and Surgery are all treatments to help cure cancer. Each treatment uses different technology. How have cancer treatments changed? What are some other common cancer treatments? How has the death rate from cancer changed?

1 thought on “Common Cancer Treatments

  1. I believe you did a great job on the article, I found some cancer causing agents to show what to not to do so you reduce your risk of cancer. When researching I found it’s important to limit the amount of alcohol that you drink. I also found it’s important to excersize a healthy amount each day. So those are ways you can reduce your risk of cancer and overall avoid all of these deiiferant treatments.
    http://www.aicr.org/reduce-your-cancer-risk/recommendations-for-cancer-prevention/

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