Relapse is the most fearful word for cancer survivors. To a cancer survivor, having cancer a 2nd or 3rd time can be devastating. Relapse can be harder to accept than the first time you were diagnosed. But when faced with a relapse, do not panic. Stay calm. There is hope even in relapse cases.
When cancer comes back, doctors call it a recurrence (or recurrent cancer). There are some things you need to know when cancer returns. The following 3 points are taken from the US National Cancer Institute website** :
• A recurrent cancer starts with cancer cells that the first treatment didn’t fully remove or destroy. Some may have been too small to be seen in follow-up. This doesn’t mean that the treatment you received was wrong. And it doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong either. It just means that a small number of cancer cells survived the treatment. These cells grew over time into tumours or cancer that your doctor can now detect.
• When cancer comes back, it doesn’t always show up in the same part of the body. For example, if you had colon cancer, it may come back in your liver. But the cancer is still called colon cancer. When the original cancer spreads to a new place, it is called a metastasis (pronounced “meh-TAS-tuh-sis”).
• It is possible to develop a completely new cancer that has nothing to do with your original cancer. But this doesn’t happen very often. Recurrences are more common.
Stories from 4 NPC survivors
What will you do when you learn that cancer has returned?
Four NPC survivors shared their experiences with cancer relapse at the recent NPC support group meeting. Although faced with a similar life-threatening situation, each of these survivors had chosen a different approach to dealing with cancer recurrence. Two of the survivors opted for conventional treatment while the other two opted for alternative treatment. For these 4 survivors, the relapse occurred within the first 5 years after their first treatment.
Below is their story. I have addressed each one of them by their surname to protect their identities. This write-up is based on my personal notes as I listened to their touching stories.
Mr NgHe was diagnosed in 2003 with Stage 2 NPC and suffered two relapses. The first relapse occurred in 2005 when cancer spread to the lymph nodes on his neck; he underwent surgery. The second relapse occurred in 2006 when cancer returned to the original site (nasopharynx); he underwent both radiotherapy & chemotherapy. His doctor had told him he had up to 6 months to live but he has survived to this day.
Based on his experience with relapse, he gave the following advice :
• Seek second opinion from another cancer expert
• Talk to others with similar experiences but make your own final decision
• Weigh the pros & cons when deciding on your option
• Find out the side effects & consequences to the treatment you have opted
• Whatever your choice, there is no such thing as a guaranteed cure
Mr Ng concluded with the following 3 A’s : Accept, Adapt, Adjust. Cancer requires a new way of life, so stop all unhealthy habits, take up healthy activities, switch to a healthier diet, relax & avoid stress. He emphasised that the mind played an important part, so stay positive & be happy.
Mr GohHe was diagnosed with NPC in 2000 and experienced a relapse in 2002 when he discovered a tumour on his neck. He discussed with his oncologist but turned down his doctor's recommendation of surgery & radiotherapy as he did not wish to suffer the side effects of conventional treatment. He opted for TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) instead. He was surprised the tumour shrunk & disappeared. He survived 10 years but cancer returned again in Feb 2011. He again opted for TCM treatment.
Mr NgHe was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2008 at age 36 with tumour on the neck. After completing conventional treatment of RT & chemo, the tumour disappeared but cancer returned to the nose one year later in 2009. This time he chose to take natural herbs to heal his body. He believes that cancer survivors need to build up a strong immunity against cancer & he does this by including natural herbs in his daily diet such as wheatgrass, Sabah Snake Grass (SSG), fruit enzymes and other herbs.
Ms G
She was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2006 & underwent both surgery & RT. She suffered a relapse in 2011 when her CT scan showed a growth under her tongue. After discussing with her oncologist, she opted for RT & suffered side effects worse than the first. But she managed to go through the tough journey due to her belief in God, the support she received from her husband & a positive attitude to handling life crisis.
My story
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 NPC in 2006. One year after completing conventional treatment, the CT scan spotted a tiny nodule (2mm) on my right lung. The following year (2008), the nodule had not only increased its size to 6mm but two other tiny nodules of 2mm each were also spotted on the same lung. I considered all the options suggested by my oncologist & decided to have the tumour surgically removed. Biopsy later confirmed the tumour was malignant. Since then, I have been consciously modifying my diet & lifestyle by taking up qigong deep-breathing exercises & paying more attention to anticancer foods in my diet (please read my article : "Anticancer diet to help fight cancer").
ConclusionWhether one chooses the conventional or alternative treatment, there is no right or wrong approach to treating cancer. There is no guaranteed cure in cancer either. Do not believe anyone or any product or any treatment that promises or guarantees complete cure from cancer. Every NPC survivor who suffers a relapse will need to do some homework and consider wisely & carefully all available options before making the final decision.
(for more on cancer relapse, please read my other posting on 19 Jun 2010 - "Cancer recurrence : when nose cancer returns")
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References
** http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/when-cancer-returns/when-cancer-returns/page2)
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