subject: Advancements In Cancer Treatment [print this page] The word 'cancer' can be a scary one. Especially when it is affecting you or a loved one. It is one of the few conditions that there still isn't a cure for. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, it can seem like a hopeless, discouraging process. However, there have been advancements in research and in the treatment of cancer over the past years. Even though there still isn't a cure, these advancements in cancer treatment provide hope for those having to go through this trial in their life.
Chemotherapy has been improved. Previously, chemotherapy could damage healthy cells along with the cancerous cells it is supposed to kill. Now there has been the development of less toxic chemotherapy that targets cancer cells. Some are even available in pill form to become more convenient of a treatment tool.
There have also been advancements in radiation. They have a new technique that is being developed called radiosurgery. It helps target only the parts of your body that need the radiation and helps avoid harm to other tissues or organs. This is a huge benefit for treating parts of the body that may be hard to get to or near other important tissues, including the spinal cord or brain.
They are also working to customize treatment more on an individual basis. Some types of cancer in some situations would not benefit from certain treatments and may benefit from others. Individualizing treatment allows them to minimize unnecessary treatment.
There are other tools that are being produced and researched to help in the treatment of cancer. There are gamma cameras that help detect cancer in the body. With the new, enhanced high-resolution gamma camera, they can provide more detail to be able to identify the cancer while other imaging systems may have a harder time finding it. There is even a technique called breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) that can detect cancer that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
And though it still isn't a perfect treatment, doctors and researchers are getting closer and closer to finding a cure. They are constantly making advancements in the treatment of cancer. Although unfortunately many lives are lost to cancer, cancer doesn't always have to be fatal. As technology becomes more and more advanced, there are more people that are able to be properly treated and have the chance to live a cancer free life. Treatment isn't perfect yet, but there is hope.
by: Art Gib
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
