Methods For Treating Cancer And Detection Flashcards
What is chemotherapy (common)?
A treatment for cancer that uses drugs to destroy dividing cancer cells
Control, cure, or ease cancer
Orally or in injections, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, increased blood cells, hair loss, and pain
What is radiation treatment (common)?
Cancer cells are irradiated to kill them and stop their growth
More than 50% of cancer patients are treated this way (administers solid object or solution with radiation)
Takes time and is longer than chemo
What are side effects of radiation therapy?
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss
What is surgery (common)?
Diagnostic or treatment purposes
Tumor is removed as well as surrounding tissue
What is immunotherapy?
Stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells
Uses antigen vaccines or antibody meds, often combined with other methods
What is hormone therapy?
Some types of cancers can consequently grow bigger
Reduces interaction of hormones with cancer cells to reduce cancer
What is early detection of cancer?
Increases chances of curing it
Reduces likelihood of metastasis, where the cancer cells grow and spread
