Cancer effectiveness of drugs in its treatment Essay

Cancer effectiveness of drugs in its treatment - Essay Example If an association has been drawn between tumour and cancer; then a benign tumour has no relation with cancer but a malignant tumour sooner or later leads to cancer. Scientific research has revealed that genetic predisposition, oestrogen exposure for women, ionising and ultraviolet radiation, exposure to carcinogenic chemicals and foods, smoking tobacco, taking alcohol, unhealthy diet and presence of free radicals are some of the causes that are believed to be spreading this deadly disease among us. Since prevention is always considered as a better option to cure, hence a series of events that might result in lower risk of getting exposed to cancer should also be taken account of. Taking notice of previous cases of cancer in a family does not directly translate into the same for the successors, but they can resort to regular check up to avoid any late detection of cancer. It has been found that probability of cancer among a woman having baby before 35 is less. Reduction of exposure to sun or other rays such as X – rays and using protective cloths while facing them is a helpful mean to reduce the chances of this disease. Absolute no to tobacco and alcohol will certainly result in less number of cancer cases. Taking vitamin C and green vegetables also help to reduce the risk of cancer. Among the different types of cancer treatments six of them have gained popularity and success over the years. The following paragraph provides a brief discussion of these alternatives before moving into a detailed analysis of drug use in combating cancer. Since chemotherapy also uses drugs to combat cancer, hence for this part it is left beyond the realm of the discussion. Radiation is used vividly against cancer. Ionised radiation destroys cancer cells and prevents them from further growing. When surgery is adopted s a possible cure to cancer, the cancerous cells or parts are surgically removed from the body. In recent times laser is often used to perform these surgeries replacing the conventional method that had been followed before. As it has been found that certain hormones are responsible for the growth of cancerous cells in body, hence doctors often resorts to hormone therapy to bring back the balance within the body that will eventually stop the growth of malignant cancerous cells. Recently a more radical way to fight cancer is in discussion and followed at some places as well. This is known as Biological or Immunotherapy where the inherent immune system of the body is reinforced so that it can prevent the cancerous infection o r fight back this deadly disease. Some doctors have even moved a step further to consider medical disciplines like homeopathy and acupuncture as a possible solution to this life taking disease (â€Å"What is Cancer?†). After the brief discussion of various other means to combat cancer let us concentrate of the possibilities of drugs to prevent cancer. The most widely known use of drugs against cancer is chemotherapy. In chemotherapy specific drugs are used that destroys cancer cells by putting an end to their immense growth rate. It is given to the patient either through intravenous injections or through oral medicines. It follows a cyclic pattern and often the patient is given rest for sometime after the administration of a specific course of medicine. Uses of anti cancer drugs have their own limitations. First of all since it