Immunotherapy Cancer Treatment

Are you familiar with immunotherapy cancer treatment? If not, don’t worry. Most people associate cancer treatment with chemotherapy and its side effects, which have been around since the 1940s. However, there are many types of cancer treatments available. While chemotherapy is still widely used, the best cancer treatment for you depends on several factors:

• Type of cancer
• Stage at diagnosis
• Location of cancer

Unsure which one is right for you? If so, you’re in the right place. Our qualified practitioners are revealing five of the most common cancer treatments in today’s blog post. Stay tuned to discover which one(s) is right for you. 

How Is Cancer Treated? 

So, how is cancer treated? Well, the best type of cancer treatment for you depends on your individual diagnosis and circumstances. Additionally, some people need just one type of treatment, and others require a combination of several treatments.  

Below are the 5 main types of cancer treatment:  

• Surgery 
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation 
• Immunotherapy cancer treatment 
• Targeted Therapy 

Is Surgery For Me?

If you have cancer, you might get surgery to: 

• Remove the cancer 
• “Debulk” or reduce the amount of tumor
• Relieve the pain or pressure resulting from a tumor

The best chance for a curative surgery occurs when a “solid” tumor is contained in one area (aka “ localized”) and removed entirely. Those are best-case scenarios, but surgery isn’t an option in every case (like with leukemia). 

Sometimes, surgery is the only treatment necessary, and other times, it’s used in combination with other cancer treatments. For example, cancer that spreads to other parts of the body requires both “debulking” surgery and “systemic” therapy.

If surgery is part of your treatment plan, it’s important that you’re comfortable with the surgeon. Verify they have the qualifications (and experience) to perform surgery for your cancer type, situation, and preferences. 

 Do I Need Chemotherapy? 

So, do you need chemotherapy? Well, the answer is yes if you’re looking to:

• Shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation treatment
• Eliminate cancer from your body
• Lessen the chance it will come back or slow/stop its growth
• Destroy any cancer cells left after surgery or radiation treatment
• Help other therapies work better

Cancer is a cell that is rapidly growing out of control. Therefore, chemotherapy is effective because it kills fast-growing cells. However, there are healthy cells in our body that also grow quickly. And unfortunately, chemotherapy can’t differentiate cancer cells from healthy cells. 

Healthy, fast-growing cells are present in the lining of our mouth, intestines, and hair. That’s why damaging these cells by chemotherapy often causes side effects like mouth sores, nausea, and hair loss. 

We remind all our clients to be active participants in their cancer treatment decision-making and voice their opinions.  Ask your healthcare team about the side effects of their recommended treatment and inquire about their ability to manage those side effects. 

Do I Need Radiation Treatment? 

Radiation kills cancer cells by damaging a cell’s DNA beyond repair. As you can probably imagine, this causes it to stop dividing and/or die.  Radiation is delivered internally or externally, and it sometimes takes weeks of treatment before the cancer cells are dead. 

Below are some factors determining the type of radiation:

• The type  of cancer and the size of the tumor
• Where the tumor is in the body 
• The proximity of the tumor to other sensitive tissue 
• Other types of cancer treatment you are to receive

Many practitioners combine radiation with other cancer treatments (chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy cancer treatment). Additionally, radiation is given before, during, or after those treatments to boost effectiveness. 

 Is Immunotherapy Cancer Treatment for Me?

So, is immunotherapy right for you? Well, Immunotherapy cancer treatment consists of: 

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors
• Monoclonal antibodies
• Immune system modulators
• Cancer vaccines
• T Cell therapy

To fight disease-causing bacteria, our immune system identifies and destroys abnormal cells. And as research and technology continue to advance, we now have cancer treatments that help the immune system fight cancer cells.

These treatments help the immune system prevent or slow cancerous growth. But does it always work? Well, not necessarily. Cancer cells have their own ways of avoiding detection and destruction by the immune system. Additionally, they outsmart the immune system by:

• Experiencing genetic changes that make them less visible to the immune system
• Having proteins on their surface that turn the immune cell off 
• Interfering with surrounding healthy cells, disrupting the immune system’s response 

The genomic profile of a tumor dictates whether immunotherapy is an option. And if it is, the genomic profile determines which immunotherapy cancer treatment to use.  Next-generation sequencing tests determine whether tumors respond to immunotherapy. So if this is something you want to explore, ask your doctor to order one. Then, rest assured that it reveals everything you need to know about the genomic profile of your tumor. 

What is Targeted Therapy? 

 So, what is target therapy? Well, scientists discover more about the changes in DNA and the growth-driving proteins within cancer cells every day. As they uncover this information, they develop specialized treatments to target those changes. 

Wondering if you’re a candidate for targeted therapy (aka “precision” medicine)? Well, your tumor must first contain the desired target. Otherwise, treatment won’t be effective. In most cases, practitioners use a Biomarker test to verify those targets. So, ask your practitioner if this is an option for you. 

Sometimes, targets change during treatment, and they become resistant to the targeted therapy. When this happens, targeted therapy is combined with other cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.  

Targeted therapies include:

• Small-molecule drugs –  targets found inside the cancer cell
• Monoclonal antibodies – targets on the outside of the cancer cell

What Are the Side Effects of Immunotherapy Cancer Treatment? 

So, what are the side effects of treatment? Well, side effects come with every cancer treatment. However, the kind and severity vary. While some are long-lasting, others are short-term and stop promptly upon completion of the therapy. Additionally, you might find some tolerable, but others non-negotiable. So, if you’re worried about side effects, we recommend bringing those concerns to your care team. Ask them about the side effects associated with your recommended treatment options and use that to guide your decision-making.  

Find a Cancer Patient Advocate

The expertise of a cancer patient advocate flattens the learning curve when making important cancer treatment decisions. Not only are we well-versed in the healthcare system, but our compassionate team helps people make treatment decisions with confidence. So, if you want help navigating your cancer journey, Cancer Champions is here for you. 

Interested in learning more? Contact us or call (703) 403-7600 today to book a complimentary consultation. 

A cancer patient advocate is a qualified professional who guides a cancer patient through the healthcare system. Essentially, your cancer patient advocate stands by your side through screening, diagnosis, treatment, and any follow-up with your cancer. If you’re curious about how a cancer patient advocate can help you, keep reading. Our expert team is revealing everything you need to know in today’s blog post:

Benefits of Hiring a Cancer Patient Advocate

So, do you need a cancer patient advocate by your side? To help you answer that question, we’ve listed some reasons you should consider hiring an advocate for cancer patients:

Maintain Your Best Interest

As a cancer patient advocate near me, it’s our job to maintain the best interest of our clients. Whenever hospitals and insurance companies provide assistance, they ultimately have to answer to their employer. However, private patient advocates’ sole allegiance is to their client’s needs and goals.

Provide Knowledge & Expertise

Cancer patient advocates have extensive backgrounds in oncology. That means we’re able to understand and translate your specific diagnosis (and all the medical terminology) in a way that’s easy to understand. Not only that, but private patient advocates research relevant clinical trials and treatment options. Then, our individualized guidance and solutions will help you maximize your time with the healthcare team.

Offer Compassionate Care

When navigating the healthcare system, compassion often gets lost in the midst of information, appointments, and insurance forms. However, partnering with a cancer patient advocate guarantees your well-being and wishes are always accounted for. At Cancer Champions, our team keeps your best interest at the forefront of your cancer journey. As your cancer patient advocate, we vow to hold your hand the entire way.

Cancer Patient Advocate

Find a Cancer Patient Advocate Near Me

Would you like a cancer patient advocate’s expertise, compassion, and knowledge to accompany you along your cancer journey? If so, reach out to our team. When you partner with Cancer Champions, you gain exclusive access to a private patient consultant that understands the cancer journey from both an emotional and a healthcare side.

Curious about what we can do for you? Call (703) 403-7600 or contact our team today.

1 in 3 of us will either directly or indirectly face a cancer diagnosis.  That statistic suggests a diagnosis is relatively common. However, every individual cancer diagnosis is unique.  No two people have the exact same type of cancer, social situation, overall physical characteristics, values, and preferences. And because no two scenarios are the same, each person needs to feel comfortable and confident when making cancer treatment decisions. The question is: where do you start?  

Below are some important (yet simple!) steps you can take as you begin the cancer treatment decision-making process.  

Making Cancer Treatment Decisions

FLATTEN THE LEARNING CURVE – 6 STEPS TO MAKE CONFIDENT CANCER TREATMENT DECISIONS

After you receive a cancer diagnosis, you will be faced with a myriad of decisions about your cancer treatment.  Anxiety, unfamiliar words, clinical statistics, and a sense of urgency make these decisions difficult.  But unless you’re facing an emergency,  the first step is to reflect on what is important to you. You must identify the characteristics that reflect what a “good treatment plan” looks like for you.   

So, how do you do that? Well, start by asking yourself the following:

• What am I most hopeful for from my treatment decision? 
• Is there a type of support I’d like to have around during treatment? 
• What kind of environment would I feel most comfortable receiving treatment in? 
• Do certain characteristics make me feel comfortable and confident in my healthcare team? 
• Am I anxious? If so, what about? 

Understanding Your Diagnosis 

The next phase of your cancer treatment plan depends on the following:

• The type of cancer. 
• Where the cancer is located. 
• The stage of cancer.
• The tumor’s genomic profile.

In order to know which treatment options are best, your healthcare team will need to know the type of cancer and where it started. 

Treatment options depend on these two pieces of information, and they vary depending on the stage and genomic profile. What does that mean? Well, the stage defines the size and extent of the disease. Additionally, the genomic profile is the next-generation sequencing of your tumor.  This report is ordered by your physician and utilizes tissue from your biopsy to identify potential targets for immuno-oncology treatments.  

An example of this would be cancer that has spread throughout the body, as it will likely require systemic therapy (given throughout your body), rather than a surgical option.

Research and Understand Your Cancer Treatment Decisions and Options

Based on your situation, what are your options? Ask yourself the following:

• Is chemotherapy an option? 
• Or is radiation an option? 
• Is surgery an option?
• Are you a candidate for immuno-oncology?
• What is the best treatment plan for you based on your goals and vision of treatment?

The predicted course of cancer, based on the type and stage, will help you understand the goals of treatment.   For some, the goal will be a cure and for others, it may be to live well with their cancer. It’s important to be an active participant in cancer treatment decision-making.  Ask your healthcare team about what you can expect from each of the proposed treatment options.

Some additional questions to consider:

• What are the short and long-term side effects of the treatment? 
• Are the side effects reversible?
• How will the treatment affect my daily life and activities? 
• How much benefit can I expect to realize from the treatment? 
• Why are they recommending this treatment option? 
• How did they come to this decision? 

Understand The Goals of Cancer Treatment Decisions and Options

There are typically two goals of therapy, to cure cancer or to control cancer.   

During your conversation with your physician, it is important to know if the goal of treatment is curative (eliminating cancer) or palliative (controlling cancer).    

A curative treatment plan goal is to eliminate cancer and may also include palliative and supportive care.  

On the other hand, palliative care is a specialized arm of the cancer care team that provides expertise in specific areas of supportive care. This ensures you maintain good health and the ability to mitigate any side effects while undergoing treatment. 

A palliative treatment plan is one where eliminating cancer from your body is unlikely. However, treating and controlling cancer for as long as possible is the desired outcome.  There are many new treatments and therapies that can control cancer for long periods of time. These treatments deem “living with cancer” a realistic and manageable goal. 

Understand the Risks and Benefits of Cancer Treatment Decisions

There are side effects associated with every treatment. However, they can vary in severity and frequency.  Sometimes, the side effects of treatment can cause long-term side effects that may last for months (sometimes years) after treatment. 

Before making your decision about which option is best for you, consider the risks and benefits: 

• What is the chance of cure/long-term control? 
• Are there likely short and long-term side effects?
• What is the likelihood of cancer returning after treatment?
• Will a second cancer develop as a result of treatment?
• What will the effect of treatment have on my independence and daily activities?
• Are there financial side effects to this treatment? How much will it cost me out of pocket?

 Understand the Clinical Statistics 

Often physicians use statistics when describing treatment options.  You may hear them refer to disease-free survival, survival rates, and progression-free survival rates.  Generally, these statistics help determine how treatment options differ. However, they do not predict how well an option will work for YOU.   It’s important to remember that you are not a statistic. 

Get a Second Opinion

It is not uncommon for people with cancer to seek a second (or even a third) opinion before making a cancer treatment decision. Different oncologists, surgeons, and radiation specialists have additional expertise in their areas of research. Their input can help you make informed cancer treatment decisions that support your overarching goals. 

Top-Rated Cancer Patient Advocate

To help flatten the curve when making cancer treatment decisions – consider soliciting the help of an expert. As your decision-making partner, our guidance will assure you make cancer treatment decisions with confidence

Soliciting a professional health consultant/ private advocate with subject matter expertise in cancer and navigating cancer diagnosis is just the person to help you do that. Although cancer is common, every family’s circumstance is unique. Contact Dana for a complimentary call. We’d love to help you flatten your curve.