Chemo uses drugs to attack cancer cells. Typically, chemo is delivered to the body through a needle or a catheter, though it may also be given in pill or liquid form. Depending on the type of cancer for which the patient is receiving treatment. chemo may beadministered on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
chemotherapy can cause substantial damage to healthy cells in the body, causing an array of side effects including;
nausea
fatigue
diarrhea
hair loss
vomiting
extreme pain
depression of the immune system
Chemo has also been known to cause fertility problems, a loss of sex drive, changes in bone marrow, and anemia. These side effects may require patients to take time off work for a long period, change diet and lifestyle habits, and in some cases, remain in the hospital so that physicians can monitor them.
for some cancers, chemotherapy is the only treatment doctors administer. for other cancers, chemo is used to kill cancerous cells left behind after surgery or radiation. It is also use to shrink large tumors before surgery or radiation.
chemotherapy is considered a suicide treatment for cancer patients due to the side effects it emerges over time
The goal of all cancer treatment is removal of cancer without damage to the rest of the body. However, options for treating cancer vary, based on the location of the cancer within the body and whether the patient is an adult or child.
The options also depend on factors such as;
timely diagnosis
whether the cancer had metastasized or not
Since cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer as well as multitude of factors, multiple treatments may be used to treat the same type of cancer to ensure the best prognosis for the patient.
The following are some cancer treatments available in GCC / Middle East
Surprisingly, Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer among women in the Middle East with an estimated 31,940 cases expected in 2010. While it has an 89% survival rate in the USA, the survival rate in the Middle East is lower due to lack of
awareness
early detection
cultural Shyness
Most women in Middle East believes that breast cancer is regarded as something to be ashamed of. Women often keep the disease a secret for the fear that their husbands will leave them or that their daughters will not be able to find suitors. studies shows that 70% of breast cancer cases in Saudi Arabia are not reported until a very late stage, compared to about 30% in the USA. similar results can be expected in other countries of GCC .