Managing side effects of cancer and treatments
Cancer treatments are often accompanied by side effects, which manifest as symptoms of physical, and even psychological, discomfort.
Surgical Oncology
Surgical oncology is the branch of surgery concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It is the oldest form of cancer treatment.
Precautions to take when one has cancer
While cancer treatments are essential to allow the patient to confront this health challenge, they can unfortunately result in a weakened immune system.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment or intervention designed to help the body’s immune system fight cancer. It does not directly attack cancer cells but focuses instead on helping other cells – called immune cells – detect and destroy cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, that is to say, it can reach all parts of the body and destroy cancer cells, even microscopic ones, wherever it finds them.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is a treatment that changes the level of hormones in the body.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy involves the use of X-rays, gamma rays, electrons and other forms of high-energy radiation. The treatment is painless and does not last long, from one to five minutes. In fact, the waiting and preparation phases often take longer than the treatment itself, about 10 to 15 minutes.
