Living with Cancer and Long-Term Treatment
Some cancer treatments can go on for an extended period of time. Many people receive cancer treatment for months, years, or even the rest of their lives.
There are two goals for cancer treatment: control the cancer's growth, “palliative cancer treatments", and eliminate the cancer, “curative cancer treatments”. Both of these types of treatments can include long-term or extended therapies.
Cancers that require long term treatments may be treated like chronic illnesses, similar to multiple sclerosis or type 1 diabetes.
Long-term treatments can include surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapies like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.
When is Long-Term Cancer Treatment Needed?
There are many cases where long term or extended treatment is the most beneficial way to eradicate the cancer. The goals of this may include one or more of the following:
To prevent cancer from returning.
Example: people with early-stage breast cancer whose disease has been cured using surgery or radiation therapy may receive ongoing hormone therapy to reduce risk of recurrence.
To manage advanced cancer.
Example: advances in research mean that doctors can now treat some types of metastatic cancer for much longer periods of time, even when the disease cannot be cured.
To put cancer in remission and maintain and control cancer progression
Example: patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) often take a medication known as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for many years.
What Long-Term Treatments are Used to Treat Cancer?
Many types of extended treatment plans use medication, also called systemic therapies. These include:
Chemotherapy- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Hormone therapy
You may receive the same type of systemic therapy initially, a different drug, or a combination of drugs, may be used to treat cancer. Your doctor may also suggest you join a clinical trial for a specific long-term treatment. The type of long-term treatment you receive depends on many varied factors, including your cancer type, location, stage, your age, and your general health.
Living With Long-Term Cancer Treatment
Long term cancer treatment can be challenging. Some key aspects of navigating ongoing therapy include:
Coping with side effects
Most treatments cause difficult side effects like nausea, fatigue, increased infections, neuropathy, etc. Report all symptoms and get relief medications to take the edge off.
Making accommodations
Work/home adjustments like flex scheduling, task limits, and rest periods may be key during demanding treatments. Don't overexert yourself and accept help from support systems.
Staying active when possible
Light activity, healthy diet, and stress relief tactics boost mental and physical stamina to withstand treatments.
Processing the emotional ups and downs
Expect a rollercoaster of feelings with the uncertainty of scan results, regimen changes, and adjustment periods. Share feelings, use counseling, and join support groups.
Using organizational tools
Treatment schedules, financial and legal paperwork, and medical records can be overwhelming. Apps, calendars, and binders can help organize these.
Reevaluating priorities
Reflect on what matters most each day. Remember to be present with loved ones and take care of personal needs.
Focusing on the path ahead one step at a time
Don't overwhelm yourself thinking too far down the road. Celebrate milestones while allowing flexibility for unpredictable events.
With commitment to self-care, utilization of all resources available, and open communication with medical providers, the treatment journey can be an empowering experience for you.
Some Tips
It can be difficult to manage daily life, physical side effects, and emotions during an extended treatment period for cancer. These tips can help.
- Develop a survivorship care plan with your doctor, which should have information on future checkups and cancer tests.
- Talk about side effects with your health care team. Discuss what symptoms and side effects are possible, so you can be more prepared if they occur. Also, let your health care team know about side affects your experience, including if they worsen or a new problem starts.
- Take your medications as prescribed.
- Schedule follow-up tests.
- Explore cancer rehabilitation options, which help you regain or keep your independence over various aspects of daily living after a cancer diagnosis.
- Make healthy lifestyle changes. Think about what you can do every day to help your body and mind feel stronger. This includes not smoking, avoiding or reducing alcohol intake, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, getting good sleep, and reducing stress.
- Ask for financial help. The costs of extended medical treatment can add up and your healthcare team can provide referrals to financial resources.
Our Mission
We are a multidisciplinary team of surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, reconstructive surgeons, and clinical trial investigators. Together, we deliver cutting-edge, safe, well-coordinated, and supportive care to people with cancer and their families.
We strive to provide access to cutting-edge clinical trials in cancer care. This means providing access to innovative therapies in the community where you live. We feel strongly that state-of-the-art medicine should be easily assessable beyond academic centers.
We always maintain an individualized touch, and we will never treat you as just another patient.
What We Do
Our clinical practice encompasses various tumor types including, but not limited to:
Breast
Bladder
Lung
Colorectal
Gastric
Kidney
Livers
Esophageal
Pancreatic
Prostate
Testicular
Head and Neck
Genitourinary
Gynecological Malignancies
Houston's Leading Cancer Research Expert
Our patients gain access to trial treatments sponsored by leading medical institutions in Houston and throughout the nation. Our team works hard to connect you with the best possible trial while providing comprehensive care during your treatment.
We identify the best treatments available in oncology with evidence-based alternative treatments for symptom control. In addition, we have in-depth training in Geriatrics, which allow us to offer tailored cancer care to elderly patients. This frequently means balancing the benefit of chemotherapy while minimizing side effects in older, vulnerable patients.
The Expertise You Need, The Compassion You Deserve
With years of experience working in cancer research and treatment, our team brings extensive knowledge and expertise to every patient. Our passion for helping patients find the right clinical trial while providing the care they need is unparalleled.
Our team is dedicated to making sure you have access to the best possible cancer treatment options.
The Process
What To Expect
When you partner with us, you can expect personalized care from a highly skilled professional. Our goal is to provide the highest level of care while ensuring that every patient has access to the best possible cancer treatments.
A brief explanation of the process:
01
Learn about current cancer treatment and prevention trials.
02
Schedule a consultation with us to discuss your needs and options.
03
Begin participating in the trial that is right for you.
04
Receive comprehensive care during your participation in the trial.
Breaking The Barrier to Cancer Care
Many patients have difficulty accessing essential cancer treatment and prevention trials. Even when patients are accepted in clinical trials, they often face additional roadblocks, such as being forced to travel distances (with all the attendant costs), lacking transparency through the treatment process, and experiencing difficulty accessing necessary information.
That’s why we are committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent patients from getting the care they need closer to home. Our team ensures every patient can access comprehensive cancer care. No one will be left behind.
- Access to leading cancer treatment trials
- Personalized care from a highly skilled professional
- Comprehensive support during the trial process
- Transparency and access to necessary information
Start Your Journey to Healing Today
If you or someone you love is struggling with cancer, contact our, Houston office to learn more about the clinical trials that could help. Our team is committed to giving you access to the best possible care and providing personalized support throughout your journey.
Whether you need a second opinion about a diagnosis, or want to learn how to participate in a cancer prevention or clinical trial, our experienced team is here for you.