In the past, a diagnosis of cancer offered few and distinct treatment options. If the condition was considered mild and operable, you could pretty much expect one or more of the following treatment options, which included surgery, radiation, chemotherapies, medication and/or lifestyle changes. However, for many these treatments were almost as painful and draining as the cancer itself. This led to medical science looking for treatments that were more aggressive but also less invasive. However, not all of these alternative therapies proved effective for every type of cancer. If you are considering alternative therapy for your cancer treatment, you will need to first find out if it’s a good fit for you. Here are some things to consider.
Not All Alternative Therapies Are Equal
If you do a quick search on alternative therapies for cancer, you will find hundreds of results – and not all are equal or safe. Before deciding to pursue an alternative therapy, talk to your physician and get a second opinion from an oncologist to determine if the treatment is not only safe and effective, but worth your time, energy, and money. Be wary of “miracle” cures or those that are not approved by trusted agencies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration or the Canadian Ministry of Health.
Cancer-Specific Treatments
Not all therapies are the same, and neither are all cancers. In fact, two individuals can have the same type of cancer but need different treatments due to the stage of their cancer or other health considerations. Some cancers are more localized, whereas others progress throughout the body. That’s why it’s essential to keep your specific cancer in mind when seeking out alternative treatments. Talk to doctors who are experts in treating your specific cancer. They will be able to recommend the right alternative treatments for your specific condition.
Investigate Options
Alternative therapies and treatments can sound similar in name, but the differences can be considerable. One alternative therapy that is quickly replacing traditional treatments is CyberKnife radiosurgery. CyberKnife is a non-invasive and painless procedure that delivers radiation with extreme precision and accuracy to the affected area, but not the surrounding healthy tissue. Patients who prefer to steer clear of surgeries and other invasive procedures are finding CyberKnife an incredibly effective and viable treatment option.
CyberKnife vs. Other Therapies
CyberKnife is not to be confused with proton therapy; while both deliver radiation to fight cancerous tumors, proton therapy delivers low doses of radiation to specific areas of the body to kill cancer cells, while CyberKnife delivers high doses of radiation to tumors with image-guided robotic technology. The technology behind each is different and each has its own benefits. Make sure you get as much information as possible about each treatment you are considering before working with your oncologist to determine which one is right for you.
For thousands of people who have been diagnosed with cancer, CyberKnife provides a Beam of Life.TM If you are interested in learning more about this effective, efficient, painless, and safe way to treat your cancer, visit the CyberKnife Center of Miami. We treat a variety of cancers in different stages, in many cases some of which are considered inoperable, providing treatment – and hope. Call 800-204-0455 to make an appointment today.