Author: Tencent Medical Oncology Editing Group
Cancer is increasingly common around us, killing millions of people in our country every year.
On the road to cancer, there is sadness, but more hope.
Although there is no cure for all cancers, some cancers have made great progress in treatment and even achieved a cure.
Uncle Dian checked the latest research data. Among all cancer types, there are five types of cancers, and the cure rate is more than 90%. If you meet them, you are lucky of.
One, prostate cancer
5Year Survival Rate (US): 99%
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Most prostate tumors, which grow slowly or do not grow at all, are generally not life-threatening.
Many men with these tumors can still live unharmed for many years, and cancer is usually not the direct cause of their death.
And once cancer cells start to spread (metastasize), they are very difficult to treat, and some cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body very quickly.
In this case, the 5-year survival rate after diagnosis is only 29%. But thankfully, most prostate cancers can be detected before they spread.
There are generally two ways to check for prostate cancer:
Digital rectal exam: The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the prostate.
Prostate specific antigen (prostate specific antigen, PSA): Tested by drawing blood.
Prostate cancer patients usually have high blood PSA levels, but because the cause of the increase in PSA levels is not limited to prostate cancer, there is still controversy about PSA screening for prostate cancer. Checks are subject to doctor’s advice.
In addition, if you experience symptoms such as difficulty urinating or blood in the urine, seek medical attention immediately, which may be a sign of prostate cancer or other prostate disease.
2. Thyroid cancer
5Year survival rate (US): 98 %
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The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, secretes hormones needed to control energy expenditure such as heartbeat.
Thyroid cancer is often papillary and slow-growing. Even if the tumor is large or has begun to spread to other nearby tissues, it can usually be treated or completely cured by removing the gland. After surgery, patients can take medication to replace the hormones produced by the thyroid.
Thyroid cancer can now be diagnosed earlier, increasing the chances of a cure.
But there is one type called “anaplastic thyroid cancer,” which has a 5-year survival rate of only 7% and is very rare.
Today, there is no specific screening method for thyroid cancer.
Most people see a tumor when they notice a lump or swelling in the neck, and sometimes a doctor may accidentally find a patient’s thyroid gland during an ultrasound for another reason. something wrong.
Therefore, if you have a lump in your neck, along with other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, etc., it’s important to see your doctor.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Third, testicular cancer
In the early stages (when the tumor has not spread to other areas), doctors can cure this cancer by surgically removing the testicle with the tumor.
Usually, if a patient has one testicle removed, the other testicle produces enough hormones for normal sex and sperm production.
For advanced cancers, surgery combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy is often better, and sometimes stem cell transplantation may also be helpful.
Many doctors believe that the chemotherapy drug cisplatin has significantly improved survival for patients with advanced testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer has good treatments even in its advanced stages. The 5-year survival rate for this type of cancer is 73%, which is quite high for advanced cancers.
There is no adequate screening method for testicular cancer. If you feel a lump in your testicles, or if one becomes larger than the other, you should see your doctor right away, this could be an early sign of a tumor.
Four. Melanoma
5Year Survival Rate (US): 95.1%
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Melanoma is usually visible to the naked eye in the early stages. Before it spreads, doctors can surgically remove it and cure it.
Melanoma is more likely than other skin cancers to spread to other parts of the body if not caught early.
Once it spreads beyond the surface of the skin, it can be difficult to treat. For patients with metastatic melanoma, the 5-year survival rate after diagnosis is only 15% to 20%.
Is screening helpful? The answer is yes, look for large, dark, oddly shaped or raised spots on the skin, especially the back, scalp, scrotum and toes.
These areas are generally less prone to melanoma formation, and if any changes occur, consult your doctor immediately, who will determine if it is abnormal.
High-risk individuals with a personal or family history of the disease should be screened regularly by a dermatologist.
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5. Early breast cancer
5year survival rate (US): 99%~100%
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Modern medicine has made tremendous strides in treating breast cancer.
Doctors know better than ever how to diagnose and treat breast cancer, and people are better informed.
For example, now we know that there are many types of breast cancer, not just one, and each type will be treated differently.
Breast cancer is easier to treat before it spreads than after it has spread, and some types of breast cancer are also relatively easy to treat.
For example, “estrogen receptor-positive” breast cancer can be remissioned with drugs that lower estrogen levels; however, “triple negative” breast cancer is more persistent and some targeted treatments may doesn’t work.
Studies have found that regular mammograms can help prolong survival, but the frequency of screening should follow your doctor’s advice.
Some doctors believe that screening every other year, starting at age 50, is acceptable for the general population, with the exception of high-risk groups.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women have annual mammograms starting at age 45, and women between the ages of 40 and 44 can opt for annual breast screenings X-ray examination.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
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