Oncology

Living with cancer might seem scary. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Take a minute. Breathe in. Get informed and hold on.

Basically, cancer happens when abnormal body cells grow rapidly and beyond their limits, invading other body parts. When these abnormal cells start spreading throughout the body, this is known as metastasis.

This rapid growth of abnormal cells is caused by a combination of genetic factors and external agents. External agents are divided into three categories:

• Physical carcinogens (UV radiation and ionizing radiation as a result of significant exposure to medical imaging)
• Chemical carcinogens (asbestos, food contaminants, arsenic, etc.)
• Biological carcinogens (infections with certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites)

Even though some types of cancers are among the leading causes of death in the world, it can be prevented, managed, and even cured. There are many types of cancer that, when detected on time and managed properly, have a high possibility of being cured.

Facts about cancer

• Men are more likely to develop cancer than women.
• The incidence of cancer increases dramatically with age.
• Some lifestyles can make cancer deadly, such as:
  • High body mass index (obesity)
  • Alcohol and tobacco use
  • Low consumption of fruits and vegetables (unhealthy diet)
  • Low physical activity

Therefore, making healthier lifestyle decisions can help increase the probability of survival for cancer patients. In fact, 30–50% of cancer cases can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle.

The five most common types of cancer in men are:

• Lung
• Liver
• Stomach
• Colorectal
• Prostate

The five most common types of cancer in women are:

• Breast
• Lung
• Colorectal
• Cervical
• Stomach

Fortunately, most of these cancer types have good rates of recovery through early detection and adequate treatment. Regularly visiting your team of medical providers, as well as getting your labs and tests, is essential for early detection.

Although the treatment will vary based on the type of cancer diagnosed, the main purpose is to cure or stop the cancer from advancing, or to considerably prolong the patient’s life. Treatment usually requires one or more of the following elements: surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

In order to boost the fight against cancer, treatment should include other kinds of support from a team of specialized professionals such as ours.

Our multidisciplinary approach to treating and supporting people with chronic conditions really makes a difference. Not only does it help patients feel better, but it also helps reduce their stress levels associated with living with this type of disease.

Below, we have listed some of the drugs we dispense to patients living with cancer:

Click here to learn more about other drugs we dispense.