Australia is famous for its beaches and other tourist hotspots in the outback region. The term hotspot is relevant as there is plenty of sunshine in those places. The whole of Australia is, in fact, a sunshine country. The latest degradation of ecology means increasing instances of skin cancer from all that sunshine.
Not just skin, but Australia is also heading towards becoming a hotspot for all varieties of cancer. Recent statistics peg the numbers at 150,000 having some form of cancer, with a 50% possibility of cancer diagnosis in both genders at 85 years of age. Through initiatives like Targeting cancer Australia, using radiation therapy as an effective way to reduce or eliminate the cancerous cells becomes easy to understand.
Radiation Therapy Requirements and Results
Cancer treatment in Australia has come a long way. The 1980’s survival rate was below 50%, and today stands at 70%. It has had improvements that better work towards healing while also reducing the side-effects of radiation therapy.
Getting Rid of Many Cancers
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is very effective because it can be used to target cancer cells in any part of the body narrowly. This reduces collateral damage from radiation to other organs and tissues and kills the cancer cells because they are particularly susceptible to it.
This means it applies to most types of cancers, particularly the major ones that concern Australians (breast, skin, lung, colorectal, and prostate). The earlier the diagnosis, the better will be the chances of complete removal, and the quicker it happens.
Easing of Tumour Removal
Radiotherapy serves a great purpose when it comes to tumour removal surgery. By getting it done prior to going under the knife, the tumour’s size can be reduced significantly in some cases. This reduces the efforts of removal surgeons and increases the chances of survival and non-return of cancer.
Any leftover cells can also be killed with it. It can even be combined with chemotherapy and stem cell treatment for further effectiveness.
Quality and Cost-Effective Treatment
Australia has some of the best oncology centres in the world. This means quality treatment with competent staff and the best equipment. Centres also provide Oncology Medical Physicists who work with both the centre’s IT department and the primary caregivers to ensure maximum safety is accorded to both patients and staff involved in giving radiation.
The effective treatment of the therapy itself is relatively inexpensive. According to initiatives like Targeting cancer Australia, it costs the government about 9 cents to each dollar spent on every cancer-related test and treatment. It is cost-effective enough to be administered as an out-patient treatment for a short duration, thus saving on time as well.
Manageable Side Effects
It’s a given that radiotherapy will have side effects. The part of the body receiving it and the duration will determine the severity of the side effects. Some might not have any or have very little of it. For others, it could be severe, either temporarily or permanently.
Doctors will be on hand to help you manage any side effects you might have. Admission for some time to the hospital might be necessary. Many cases of patients recovering from the side effects are also present.
Cancer need not be the end of life that people assume it to be. With effective treatment, one can continue to live a good life by defeating it as well.