Asked by
Gaurab Gogoi
in
Personal Health
at
3:38 PM on June 28, 2008
keerthi's Answer
However, many people do survive their cancers. In fact, several people have beaten cancer several times. Modern medicine has made cancer into less of the monster it once was. Surgery to remove the cancer followed by chemotherapy is the preferred method by doctors for most cancers. Chemotherapy is a long, often painful process that is necessary to rid the body of Cancer which may have spread.
The factors that play a role in a person's survival rate are dependent on several factors, here are the prominent ones:
The location of the Cancer - Cancer found on internal, vital organs is very difficult to get rid of, because it makes surgery to remove the cancer difficult. Often surgery is not even an option, as removing large pieces of a vital organ will not be possible. Cancers on the skin and extremities are typically easier to get rid of.
The the age of the patient - Younger people simply have more endurance at which to throw at the cancer. They also have stronger immune systems, which is key in many cancer cases because a patient becomes particularly susceptible to infection while undergoing Chemotherapy.
How far the cancer has spread through the body - Cancer has stages. At the lowest stages, the cancer is rather localized to the initial tumor. In the later stages, the cancer has spread to several organs, and has become very dangerous. The later stages do not come on all at once, it typically takes years for cancer to progress. If your family member has detected their cancer early, they will have a quicker recovery time and better chance.
The patient's state of mind - Depression and hopelessness have real physical side effects that can hinder recovery. This is where you can help. Your family member is going to need a lot of support and as much joy as you can possibly give them. That doesn't always mean telling jokes and trying to cheer them up, sometimes cancer patients want someone to cry with them, too. If you're not sure what will help them most at a certain time, you really can't go wrong with simply being there for them and letting them know you want to help. People of faith often believe that praying can help not just by asking for God's Will, but by giving the patient more hope. Even if you're not a person of faith, your positive attitude is contagious, so the stronger you are for them, the stronger they will be for you.
Answered at
5:35 PM on June 30, 2008
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