"I sat with Sarah,* clutching her hand as we waited to hear the diagnosis. Were our greatest fears about to be confirmed? Would the doctor tell us that Sarah has cancer?"
Cancer is a word that we have all come to fear, but what is it and what are the treatment options once a diagnosis is made? According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
What is cancer?
Our body naturally makes new cells for our skin and organs when our current cells grow old or become damaged. Cancer occurs when the cells start growing uncontrollably, outside of this natural process. The cells change from normal orderly growth and division to over-production forming lumps of tissue called tumors.
What are the two classifications of cancer?
According to Cancer.gov, Tumors can be cancerous (called malignant) or without cancer (known as benign).
Benign tumors (the ones that aren’t cancerous) do not invade nearby tissues and when removed, they don’t usually grow back. A benign tumor can grow very large, but are not usually life threatening unless they are growing in an area necessary for normal body functioning.
There are many kinds of malignant tumors and the suggested treatment is different for each one.
Why are cancer tests important?
When cancer is found, medical professionals run tests to see how big the cancer is and if it has spread to other sites in the body. The more information they have, the better they are able to help with the right treatment plan. Another reason for the tests is called staging the cancer. A lower stage (1 or 2) means that the cancer has not spread very far from the initial site. A higher stage (3 or 4) means that the cancer has spread to other areas of the body (this is called metastasis). Knowing the stage of the cancer is very important to the overall plan for treatment.
Does the kind of cancer matter?
The kind of cancer that the tests reveal IS important. Finding the right treatment depends on knowing the type of cancer.
What types of cancer are the medical professionals looking for?
There are more than 100 types of cancer. A few specific types of cancer include:
- Carcinomas - The most common type that can form inside or outside of the body
- Sarcoma - Forms in the soft tissue or bone
- Leukemia - Forms in bone marrow and is not typically a tumor, but instead changes the shape and composition of the blood cells created in the bone marrow
- Lymphoma - Forms in the lymph system and collects in the lymph nodes
- Multiple Myeloma - Forms in the bones and interferes with the production of plasma cells, a necessary component of blood
- Melanoma - Forms in the cells that make melanin, the cells that give pigment to the body
- Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors - There are many types, but these are named for the location in which they formed
- Other Types - Please check out the linked articles for other types of cancer and their specific characteristics
It is important for doctors to identify the type of cancer before starting treatment so that they can provide the best treatment possible.
What are some treatment options?
Medical professionals really do want to prolong their patient’s lives and help them choose the right treatment for the type of cancer they are fighting. Some treatment options work best when they are combined and other treatments have side-effects.
The most common treatment options include:
- Surgery - Removing the tumor and surrounding tissue
- Radiation Therapy - Using high energy waves (such as x-rays) to destroy or shrink tumors
- Chemotherapy - Targeting cancer cells with drugs to stop growth
- Immunotherapy - Stimulating the individual’s immune system to work harder and attack cancer cells
- Targeted Therapy - Focussing on specific characteristics of cancer cells to block their ability to grow or spread
- Clinical Trials - Utilizing new drugs or treatments before they are readily available to all patients
Once the type of cancer is identified, choosing the best treatment is a team effort between the medical professional, the individual diagnosed with cancer and their family.
As I held Sarah’s* hand, we heard the news that we’d been dreading, Sarah did have cancer. Her eyes glazed over as she tried to process the news. As I listened to the doctor’s plans for testing and treatment, I tried to take it all in, knowing Sarah was too numb to hear him. I squeezed Sarah’s hand to reassure her that I was still with her and that with the doctor’s help, we would come up with the best plan to fight Sarah’s battle against cancer.
*Name changed for privacy
**Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
How Care is There can help:
- Attend medical appointments with you
- Advocate for you at appointments and request testing
- Assist you when receiving a diagnosis and asking for details and about treatment options
- Transport you to testing and treatment visits
- Get you the help you need when treatment makes you feel unwell
Next Steps
Contact Care is There today for a free consultation!
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Email: Info@CareisThere.com