How can cancer be cured

Searching for a cure to cancer For those dealing with cancer, trying to find a cure can always be on the front of your mind. Available cancer treatment options The current survival rate for cancer patients is about five years; after that period, your cancer will either worsen. People Also Ask Q: What type of cancer is curable? For More Information. Contact Us. Review Us Google. Sign Up for E-News. Resource Center East Tucson. Welcome Center. Arizona Oncology Foundation is a C 3 non-profit organization.

Our scientists have discovered how a specific genetic mutation causes a childhood brain cancer known as DIPG and are looking for new ways to treat it. Why haven't we cured cancer yet? Share Twitter Facebook. There's a common myth that someone is 'hiding' the cure for cancer. We explain why that simply isn't true. Find out more. Watch the video:. Myriads of mutations exist Underlying the more than different cancers are a myriad of different genetic mutations.

Cancer cells within a single tumour are not identical Not every cancer cell in a tumour will have the same genetic mutations as a neighbouring cancer cell. Treatments can eventually stop working The genetic mutations that cancer cells acquire over time mean that the cells change the way they behave.

Cancer cells are really good at staying alive Normal cells have certain mechanisms in place that stop them from growing or dividing too much.

This is true for ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia CLL and other cancers.

While one type of cell in the tumor may respond to treatment, other types can escape unharmed and continue growing. Sometimes a drug works well at first, but later the cancer becomes resistant and continues to grow, because the cancer cells have mutated, or changed genetically. In fact, although normal cells can mutate, cancer cells are times more likely to do that. The good news is that new therapies are being introduced all the time — including many available through clinical trials — so when the current treatment fails, some patients are able to move on from one new treatment to another.

Cancer cells can also find ways to protect themselves from treatment. However, in some cases, the tumor cells then develop the ability to make testosterone from cholesterol.

Unfortunately, scientific studies to determine the safety and effectiveness of new cancer treatments take time.

That may create the appearance or lead to reports that effective new treatments are being blocked. Doctors often go into cancer research because they have a family member or friend affected by the disease.

They are as interested in finding a cure as anyone else, for the same reason — it affects them personally. They hate to see a loved one in pain and don't wish to lose this person. They also want to spare others what they have gone through. Truth: Although regular medical care can indeed increase the ability to detect cancer early, it can't guarantee it.

Cancer is a complicated disease, and there's no sure way to always spot it. Routine screening has been linked to a decrease in deaths from cancers of the prostate, cervix, breast, lung, colon and rectum. Truth: Most people who have cancer are treated on an outpatient basis in their home communities.

At times it may be helpful to travel to a specialty medical center for treatment. But often, doctors at such a medical center can work with doctors in your hometown so that you can be with your family and friends. Sometimes, people may desire to take time away from work to focus on health. Many times it is possible to resume or continue to work. A lot of research has gone into making it easier for people to live more-normal lives during their cancer treatment.

For example, drugs are now available to help better control nausea and exercise programs are encouraged. The result is that you're often able to work and stay active during your treatment. For people who do experience cancer pain, especially people who have advanced cancer, doctors have become more aware of the need to control such pain and have learned better ways to manage it. Although all pain may not be eliminated, the goal is to control the pain so that it has little impact on your daily routine.

Truth: For most types of cancer, there's no conclusive evidence that a needle biopsy — a procedure used to diagnose many types of cancer — causes cancer cells to spread. There are exceptions, though, of which doctors and surgeons are aware. For instance, a needle biopsy usually isn't used in diagnosing testicular cancer. Instead, if a doctor suspects testicular cancer, the testicle is removed. Truth: There is no evidence that indicates surgery can cause cancer to spread.

Don't delay or refuse treatment because of this myth. Surgically removing cancer is often the first and most important treatment. Some people may believe this myth because they feel worse during recovery than they did before surgery. Truth: Your doctor tailors your treatment to you. What treatment you receive depends on where your cancer is, whether or how much it has spread, how it's affecting your body functions, your general health, and other factors.