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Health


In order to tackle the statistic that one in two people will get cancer in their lifetime, there are multiple treatment options available. Everyone is different; therefore, treatment is not a one size fits all solution. If you ever find yourself needing cancer treatment, you’ll first discuss your treatment options with an oncologist. This allows you receive all the necessary information, allowing you to make an informed decision about which route to take. Treatment options will vary amongst different cancers and your suitability for each will be considered. With this being said, what modes of treatment are typically used to treat cancer?

Proton Beam Therapy

Proton beam therapy in the UK is an innovative type of radiotherapy that uses high-energy proton beams in place of photon x-ray electrons or beams. The proton dose is precisely measured and delivered to the exact region in need of treatment. This is delivered using IBA ProteusONE technology, which prevents radiation from interacting with healthy tissue. Depending on your type of cancer, proton beam therapy will be administered differently. It’s not solely for the killing of cancer cells and can shrink tumors to relieve symptoms, as well as minimizing the likelihood of cancer returning.

Typically speaking, proton beam therapy can be used in combination with other therapies and treatments. It allows for more flexibility through the reduction of treatment sessions and minimizes your exposure to radiation. As a result, it’s more suitable for treating hard to reach tumors that are in close proximity to important tissue and organs. Ultimately, proton beam therapy can more accurately target the area that requires treatment and causes fewer side effects.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a non-surgical method of treating cancer and shrinking tumors and can be used alongside other treatments. It uses photons to damage and kill cancerous cells in order to stunt their reproduction and growth. This is not solely a cancer treatment and can be used for the treatment of other illnesses. Despite this, it’s mainly used to shrink tumors to relieve symptoms or slow their growth ahead of chemotherapy, as well as minimizing the likelihood of cancer returning, and destroying cancer cells.

Usually, a session of radiotherapy will take as little as 20 minutes, meaning that patients can quite easily go about their everyday lives. In addition to this, it can be used in cohesion with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. The biggest benefit is that it can often relieve pain and symptoms and ultimately control the spread of cancer.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the administering of anti-cancer drugs that prevent the division and growth of cancer cells. Typically, this treatment is used to damage mutated cells that couldn’t be repaired by other means. Unfortunately, this means that healthy cells can be damaged in the process, however, they’re more capable of repairing themselves subsequent to the treatment. Chemotherapy can be given in a single drug form or as a combination regimen depending on your requirements. Usually, chemotherapy is given with the aim of curing cancer, however, some forms are also used to relieve symptoms alone.

Though chemotherapy can be effective in completely eradicating cancer, it can also provide relief for patients with terminal cancer. As well as this, it can effectively shrink tumors ahead of surgery.

Immunotherapy

The aim of immunotherapy is to boost the body’s immune system via prescribed tablets or a regular injection. These aid the body in identifying cancerous cells so that you’re able to fight against them.

This mode of treatment is effective in activating your immune system during or after other treatment. It puts your body in the best position to receive other treatment due to a strengthened immune system. Finally, it’s an effective course of treatment when the alternatives aren’t an option.