Cancer: Part Four- Survival
Remission...
In "Five Questions About Cure," Dr. Barry Tepperman, former About Cancer Guide said, "A cure is the result of successful treatment. Cure requires zero surviving cancer cells. This can't be achieved unless you've first achieved a complete remission."
Complete remission occurs when during treatment, no detectable cancer cells remain; complete remission does not mean cure and does not mean there are no cancer cells remaining. Tests cannot reveal if some minute cells are still present and only time can tell if such cells still exist. Your physician will closely monitor your condition and watch for the return of measurable cancer cells.
You are told you are in partial remission when your tumor shrinks with treatment. The term 'mixed response' is used in cases where more than one type of cancer is involved and remissions are mixed among them.
Many patients mistakenly believe that they are 'cured' if they survive five years in complete remission, but in his article, Dr. Tepperman says, "In some cancers the majority of recurrences occur early, and it is possible to estimate a time period after successful treatment beyond which patients can be reassured that "the worst is over". This depends a great deal on the specific cancer and the treatments given. For example, at least 80% of recurrences of sarcomas, head and neck cancers, and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas are discovered within 2-3 years after treatment. These patients can be reassured that their future risk of relapse is small if they remain in remission for longer; however, they cannot be told that recurrence is impossible. Melanomas, renal cell carcinomas, and breast and prostate cancers are notorious for first recurrences well after the 5-year period. Patients with these diseases must understand that they will need to be followed closely by their physicians for many years."
Secrets to Survival...
Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer are crucial in raising your odds of surviving cancer. Cervical cancer deaths have decreased significantly in the past decades due to early detection and treatment. Breast cancer survival rates are also rising, due to regular self- examination and mammography. It is vital for you to consult your physician immediately if any suspicious symptoms occur. Early diagnosis and treatment offer your best chance for complete remission and cure.
Social- economic factors, unfortunately, still play a role in cancer survival; the poor and minorities still have higher death rates from cancer. Many times, the poorest cancer patients are unable to afford proper medical care and often do not seek treatment until their cancers have advanced to more serious stages. Thought is also given, that many minorities simply don't 'trust'; white doctors, in the US, where only 3% of physicians are African- American, and thereby delay seeking treatment when symptoms first occur.
What do patients who survive have in common? A positive attitude and a strong will to live; having a positive outlook and a close circle of family and friends for support can be extremely beneficial in beating the odds and surviving cancer.
Read the incredible story of Han Yuting, a woman whose positive attitude has helped her to beat cancer time and again. First diagnosed with cancer in her right breast in 1969; she has survived cancers of both breasts, her womb, pancreas, and stomach. Han Yuting, is proof of the difference a positive attitude can make in cancer survival.
A study of women with breast cancer conducted recently at Stanford University revealed the importance of support during cancer therapy. Women were divided into two groups; one group received group therapy, in addition to the regular treatments for breast cancer, while the other group received only the standard medical treatments. The women receiving group therapy lived an average of 36 months after treatments, but the women receiving only the standard treatment survived an average of 19 months.
Many people believe in the power of spirituality, in achieving cure from cancer. Much debate exists regarding this theory, but studies indicate patients with strong spiritual beliefs and; close family support systems survive longer and generally have a better attitude.
In my personal experience, I have seen three people die quickly from cancer and two who survived. The one who passed quickest, was the one who gave up from the moment of diagnosis; the two who survived are those whose attitudes have remained optimistic.
Keeping a positive attitude...
One of the greatest challenges of your life, will be to remain cheerful and positive when faced with cancer, but it can be accomplished! Support services will provide you with resources to help you cope with your feelings and finding others who are experiencing the same ordeal will help greatly. If you are in need of support during this time, be sure to read, last week's feature, "Cancer: Part Three- Support Services."
More About Cancer
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