Cancer can present itself in many ways and has varying and debilitating symptoms. However, some forms of cancer are chronic and could pose more challenges regarding health care management.
Cancer is a serious condition with various causes, and different types of cancer affect people differently. Some cancers are less aggressive than others, and while they can’t be cured, certain varieties can be treated to help prolong the patient’s quality of life. Keeping cancer under control requires a blend of health care treatments and medicine to ensure the patient stays one step ahead of the disease.
Chronic cancers, such as leukemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, can pose a serious threat. They may be a slow-growing disease, but their symptoms and effects on the body can be relatively severe. The good news is that there are medications and other treatments that can help patients fight against chronic cancers.
With treatment, some chronic cancers even go into remission. Still, due to the aggressive nature of these diseases, they also have the potential to spread cancer cells to other areas of the body over time. For this reason, disease management is critical when it comes to chronic cancers, and having access to the proper medicines is paramount to keeping them in check.
The reality of chronic cancer
All forms of cancer can pose serious health concerns, but some types of cancer require a specific approach to health care. Doctors closely monitor these cancers because they can grow at varying rates throughout the body. With consistent tests and scans, doctors can develop a health care strategy best suited for the current state of the disease.
Even with the disease under control through treatment, patients can still expect periods of recurrence and remission. But the good news is that with consistent treatment and medication, symptoms of the disease can be managed for months or years at a time. Patients can substantially improve their overall health if cancer goes into remission.
Although remission is always the goal – at least until a cure is developed – each type of chronic cancer requires different strategies for managing a patient’s health. Some common types of chronic cancer include:
- Ovarian cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Different types of lymphoma
It’s important to note that many types of cancer can develop into chronic situations over time, which is another reason why it’s so vital to stay on top of treatment. Unfortunately, though, cancer is a battle, no matter how well the treatment goes.
When does cancer become chronic?
A few factors come into play by the time a doctor considers a cancer to be chronic. Overall, if a cancer patient needs to control the progression of their cancer for long periods, doctors will label it a chronic disease. It’s common for chronic cancer to go through stages such as remission, recurrence, and progression. And this cycle can repeat itself, even with the best treatments available.
If treatment doesn’t successfully kill all cancer cells, a patient is likely to go through progression and recurrence. In cases where only some of the cancer cells were killed, the remaining cells can easily continue to grow and divide throughout the body. This relentlessness of the disease requires consistent treatment and medication; otherwise, a patient’s health can decline rapidly.
Although there are a few standard treatment options, doctors always look for customized approaches that address a patient’s unique needs. While treatment options vary depending on the type of cancer being addressed, the focus is always on killing cancer cells and the long-term management of the disease.
What treatments are available?
With chronic cancer, chemotherapy is always part of the process. Provided on a regular schedule, this treatment can help manage the disease and significantly slow its progression in the body. Chemotherapy can also be applied if the cancer becomes active again in long-term patients. Consistent use of chemotherapy can be taxing on the body, so doctors try their best to use it only when a patient's health requires it.
While chemotherapy treatments are the standard for managing different types of cancer, the disease can become resistant to the drugs being used. This is where additional treatments and medications come into play. Managing the disease requires a multifaceted approach to health care solutions, and many patients explore a variety of treatments to achieve this.
Other treatment options can include the following:
- Palliative care
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Hospice care
The type of treatment a patient receives depends on the type of cancer they have and its progression in the body. In many circumstances, doctors will prescribe more than one treatment to combat aggressive cancers, as they require stronger measures to keep them in check. Aside from the many tests, scans, and in-patient treatments that come with the disease, many people also have to rely on prescription medications to manage their cancer – and they can be pretty costly.
How ModRN Health can ensure you get the medications you need
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