Cancer relapse is when cancer returns, you may feel some of the same emotions you felt with your first diagnosis. The uncertainties may be back, too, and you might be wondering about more cancer treatment and about your future. Some people report that a second cancer diagnosis can be more upsetting than the first, but there are strategies that can help. To avoid cancer relapse, Siddha remedies can be of immense help if routine remedies are practiced. Here are some Allopathy, Ayurveda, and Home remedies along with Siddha remedies suggested by Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System for you.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.
Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. Normally, human cells grow and multiply (through a process called cell division) to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.
Sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t. These cells may form tumors, which are lumps of tissue. Tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous (benign).
What is a cancer relapse?
When cancer returns after a period of remission, it’s considered a cancer relapse. A cancer relapse happens because, in spite of the best efforts to rid you of your cancer, some cells from your cancer remained. These cells can grow and may cause symptoms.
These cells could be in the same place where your cancer first originated, or they could be in another part of your body. These cancer cells may have been dormant for a period of time. But for reasons that aren’t understood, eventually, they continued to multiply, resulting in the reappearance of cancer.
In rare instances, you may be diagnosed with new cancer that’s completely unrelated to your first cancer. This is referred to as a second primary cancer.
Which are the common symptoms of Cancer?
- A persistent sore especially if it is in the mouth, on the lip, or on the tongue. Long-standing sores due to smoking, the sharp edge of teeth, or dental plates that do not fit, can develop into cancer if not taken care of. Common ‘Cold Sore’ disappears after a few days – Cancer does not. If any such sore persists for more than a few days, see your doctor.
- Lumps or masses which appear where none were present previously should arouse suspicion of cancer. This is especially true in the case of women and is the most readily cured if treated early.
- Persistent indigestion or change in bowel habits, while usually due to other causes, are often caused in the intestinal tract and should be reported.
- Unexplained or abnormal bleeding from any part of the body opening should be quickly investigated by a physician. Coughing up or vomiting blood, passing blood in the urine and rectal bleeding are common symptoms of cancer. In women, the first sign of cancer of the uterus is often a bloody discharge occurring between menstrual periods or after menopause.
- Persistent hoarseness or cough of abnormal duration deserves a careful examination by your doctor. Cancer of the larynx (voice box) or respiratory passages or lungs may be the cause.
- Unexplained loss of weight may be due to many things but may also be due to hidden cancer.
- Fatigue.
- Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin.
- Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain.
- Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening, or redness of the skin, sores that won’t heal, or changes to existing moles.
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits.
- Persistent cough or trouble breathing.
Where does cancer relapse?
Your cancer can relapse in the same place it was originally located, or it can move to other parts of your body. Recurrence is divided into three categories:
- Local recurrence. This means cancer reappears in the same place it was first found or very close by. Cancer hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
- Regional recurrence. A regional recurrence occurs in the lymph nodes and tissue located in the vicinity of your original cancer.
- Distant recurrence. This refers to cancer that has spread to areas farther away from where your cancer was first located. This is called metastatic cancer.
Where your cancer relapse depends on your original cancer type and stage. Some cancer types commonly recur in specific areas.
How are cancer recurrences diagnosed?
Cancer recurrences are diagnosed just like any other cancer. Your health care provider might suspect a cancer relapse based on certain tests, or you might suspect a recurrence based on your signs and symptoms.
After your last round of treatment, your health care provider probably gave you a schedule of follow-up exams to check for cancer relapse. You were probably told what signs and symptoms to be alert for that might signal a recurrence.
All cancers are different, so talk with your health care provider about what’s best for your type of cancer. The particulars of your diagnosis can guide what tests you’ll have during routine checkups after your initial treatment.
Can cancer relapse be treated?
Many local and regional recurrences can be cured. Even when a cure isn’t possible, treatment may shrink your cancer to slow cancer growth. This can relieve pain and other symptoms, and it may help you live longer.
Which treatment you choose, if any, will be based on many of the same factors you considered when deciding on your treatment the first time. Consider what you hope to accomplish, your goals for treatment, and what side effects you’re willing to accept. Your provider will also take into account what types of treatment you had previously and how your body responded to those treatments.
You might also consider joining a clinical trial, where you may have access to the latest treatments or experimental medications. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials that are available to you.
How to cope with a cancer relapse?
A cancer recurrence can bring back many of the same emotions you felt when you were first diagnosed with cancer. Here are some ideas that may help you cope with the emotions of cancer relapse:
Remember that you know more now
Knowing more about cancer and your treatment options can help reduce your anxiety. Think about how much you knew about cancer at your first diagnosis. Compare this to what you know now, such as what treatment involves and what side effects to expect.
Treatments may have improved
There may be newer drugs or newer methods for treating your cancer or managing side effects since your first diagnosis. Rapid developments in cancer treatment may open up possibilities that had not been available to you previously.
You’ve built relationships
You’ve worked closely with members of your health care team, and you know your way around the hospital or clinic. This can help you feel more comfortable. You’ve been there before, and you know what to expect.
You’ve done this before
Based on your first experience with cancer, you know what’s best for you during this time. Whether you needed some time alone or preferred having someone nearby, you can draw on your experience to plan ahead. Take heart in the fact that you were able to do it the first time.
You can turn to strategies that help
Meditation, yoga, physical activity, journaling, and finding support from friends and family members can all be helpful coping tools during this time.
You can get additional help if you need
If you’re struggling with a cancer recurrence, it might help to reach out to a therapist or counselor who works with people who have cancer.
Some people say that a cancer recurrence can be especially devastating because the strong support system they had after their first cancer diagnosis sometimes evaporates when cancer recurs. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family again and communicate how they can support you.
Also, express your feelings to your health care provider. The conversation that results can give you a better understanding of your situation, and it can help you make treatment decisions.
Can I do anything to prevent Cancer Relapse?
While eating right, exercising, and seeing your cancer care team for follow-up visits are helpful, they cannot keep cancer from recurring. Many people blame themselves for missing a doctor visit, not eating right, or postponing a CT scan for a family vacation. But even if you do everything just right, cancer still might come back. Still, there are certain actions you can take to be as healthy as possible.
Diet
After completing cancer treatment, many people decide to eat better in the hope that these changes will improve their chance of survival.
The American Cancer Society recommends that cancer survivors in stable health after treatment follow the same nutrition guidelines as those recommended for cancer prevention. It’s thought that the same factors that can increase cancer risk might also promote cancer relapse after treatment. For instance, research has suggested that the risk of breast cancer relapse might be higher in women who are obese and don’t eat many fruits and vegetables. Prostate cancer recurrence risk might be higher in men who eat a lot of saturated fats.
What to do to avoid cancer relapse?
In general, an adult should eat:
- A variety of vegetables -dark green, red, and orange each day, as well as fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas), and others.
- Foods that are high in nutrients in amounts that help you get to and stay at a healthy body weight
- Fruits, especially whole fruits with a variety of colors
- Limit or avoid red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and processed meats (foods like hot dogs, sausage, and luncheon meats).
- Strictly follow the Sattvic diet.
- Select foods made with whole grains rather than refined grains and sugars.
- Avoid sugary beverages
If you’re overweight, consider weight loss by cutting calories and increasing your activity to get to and stay at a healthy weight. (Check with your cancer care team before starting an exercise program).
Several types of cancer are linked to alcohol intake. It is best not to drink, but if you choose to drink, you should have no more than 1 drink a day for women and 2 for men. The more you drink, the higher your cancer risk.
Can I ever be sure cancer will never come back?
No, it’s not possible to guarantee that once you have completed cancer treatment cancer will never come back. Although your doctor may say, “The cancer is gone” or “I think I removed all cancer” or “I see no evidence of any cancer,” the fact remains that there’s always a chance that there are some cancer cells left in your body that survived, even though they can’t be seen or found with any test used today. Over time, these cells can begin to grow again.
While you don’t want to ever think about the chance of having second cancer – one that’s not related to the first cancer – this is also possible. Having one cancer doesn’t make you immune to having a second or even a third different cancer.
What should I look for if I am worried about a cancer relapse?
It’s easy to obsess over every ache and pain if you’re worried about cancer relapse. Check with your cancer care team for a list of common signs of your cancer relapse.
There are only a few major symptoms that could mean serious problems. If you have any of the problems listed below, tell your cancer care team at once:
- Return of the cancer symptoms you had before (for example, a lump or new growth where your cancer first started)
- New or unusual pain that’s unrelated to an injury and doesn’t go away
- Weight loss without trying
- Easy bleeding or unexplained bruising
- A rash or allergic reaction, such as swelling, severe itching, or wheezing
- Chills or fevers
- Frequent headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Bloody stools or blood in your urine
- New lumps, bumps, or swelling with no known cause
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or trouble swallowing
- A cough that doesn’t go away
- Any other signs your cancer care team has talked to you about or any unusual symptoms that you just can’t explain.
Whenever you have a symptom, your first thought might be that your cancer has come back. Remember that there are illnesses and medical problems that have nothing to do with your previous cancer. You can still get colds, infections, arthritis, heart problems, and so on – just like anyone else. As with any illness, your primary care provider is the best person to find the cause of your symptoms. If you’re seeing a new provider, be sure he or she knows about your history of cancer and its treatment.