This means eating right, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, avoiding heavy drinking, managing stress, and protecting yourself against the sun and hazardous chemicals. The good news is that methods of treating cancer are continuously improving. The three major treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgery, the oldest form of treatment for cancer, today offers the greatest chance for cure for many types of cancer. About 60 percent of people with cancer will have some type of surgery.
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs that attack cancer cells.
Some cancer patients today are exploring complementary therapies, which refers to methods used to enhance, but not replace, standard treatments. Complementary therapies include hypnotherapy, meditation, therapeutic massage and guided imagery. Some complementary therapies may help relieve certain symptoms of cancer, relieve side effects of standard cancer therapy, or improve a person's sense of well-being. Today there is interest among some cancer patients in alternative therapies, such as special diets or herbal remedies. Experts recommend that cancer patients considering using alternative or complementary therapies discuss this with their health care team.