Can cancer be treated when it is detected in its early stage?

As we all know, cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. However, cancer survival rates are improving significantly for many cancer types due to improvements in screening methods and cancer treatment. Another vital factor for surviving cancer is early detection of cancer. 

In this article, we discuss how early detection improves the survival chances of cancer patients. First, let us briefly understand the disease better and know the cancer symptoms.

Understanding cancer and its symptoms:

Cancer, which is caused by changes or mutations to the DNA between cells, displays different symptoms depending on the body part it affects.

General cancer symptoms and signs include:

• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Fatigue
• Changes seen in bladder and bowel habits
• Swallowing difficulty
• Persistent indigestion after eating
• Bleeding or bruising that is unexplained
• Fevers or night sweats that are unexplained

When do you need to see a doctor?

If you see any persistent signs or symptoms that are worrisome, make an appointment with your doctor without delay. Even if you do not have symptoms but are worried about cancer because of your family history, you can discuss your worries with your health provider.

Your doctor may recommend these approaches to diagnose cancer:

• Physical exam: Your doctor will look for abnormalities like skin colour changes or lumps that indicate cancer
• Laboratory tests: You may be asked to take urine or blood tests to detect abnormalities. For example, in blood cancer, a complete blood count will reveal an unusual number of white blood cells 
• Biopsy: Cancer is diagnosed by examining a sample of cells in the laboratory
• Imaging tests: Tests like CT scans, bone scans, PET scans, or MRIs allow non-invasive examination of organs to detect cancer signs

Benefits of early detection:

When detected in the early stages, cancers can be treated better with lesser physical, mental, and financial suffering. Early-stage means that the cancer is early in its growth and has not spread to other parts of the body. 

Cancer does not always display pronounced signs and symptoms and can often lie hidden inside the body without giving any indications. Timely detection greatly increases the chances of successful cancer treatment and longevity.

For early detection of cancer and for increasing the chances of a better outcome, routine cancer screenings are the best solution. There are even vaccinations available for certain viruses that can cause certain cancers. For example, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine protects against cancers caused by the HPV virus.

Treatment of cancer:

Cancer treatment options depend on factors like a person’s general health, the stage, and the type of cancer.

These are the common treatment options:

• Surgery: The aim is to remove as much of the cancer as possible
• Chemotherapy: Drugs are used to kill cancer cells
• Radiation therapy: Cancer cells are killed using high-powered energy beams like X-rays 
• Bone marrow transplant: It replaces the diseased bone marrow in blood cancer
• Hormone therapy: It is used in cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer

By minimising delays in treatment, cancer survival rates can be improved. Even a month’s delay in treatment is believed to raise the risk of death from cancer. Hence, cancer treatment is more likely to be successful if started before the cancer has spread.

Conclusion:

Early diagnosis of cancer is important, especially in the case of cancers like breast cancer, skin cancer, or colon cancer. Screening tests can save lives due to early cancer diagnosis. Keeping this in mind, meet an oncologist at the earliest if you experience any cancer symptoms. 

At Hexamed, we provide screenings for cancer diagnosis that will help you get a proper evaluation and the best possible treatment options. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear to get yourself screened for cancer.

FAQs:

1. What are the treatment options for cancer?

Treatment depends on the cancer type and the stage of cancer. The options available include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy.

2. Is cancer fully curable?

Early detection of cancer increases the chances of a full cure and survival since the disease has not yet spread to other body parts. However, even if a cancer is fully cured, there are chances of recurrence later.

3. What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy treatment can cause side effects like hair loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, sore mouth, or bruising.

4. Is radiotherapy effective in cancer?

Radiotherapy is mostly used in the early stages of cancer or when the disease has started to spread. It can increase the effectiveness of other treatments. For example, it is sometimes combined with chemotherapy or used before surgery.