1 in 5 cancer survivors are getting a different type of cancer
The occurrence of patients who have defeated cancer and are now facing the disease again is rising at a somewhat disturbing rate. The number of “second cancer” sufferers has risen to 19 percent, almost one in five, since the 1970’s when the level was around 9 percent.
A study cited on foxnews.com, revealed that while the occurrence of first time cancers has risen 70 percent, second cancer incidents have climbed some 300 percent over that same time period.
Second cancer is defined not as a recurrence of the previously treated cancer, but cancer of a new tissue type or in a different site.
Oddly enough, this is sort of a success story, in that people are receiving better treatment of the first cancer, and are living long enough to contract the disease again. The risk of getting cancer rises with age.
Second cancers are often associated with the same conditions that spurred the disease in the first incidence, for instance smoking or a gene mutation. And is some cases, the treatment regimen of the first occurrence can raise the risk of getting a different cancer in later years. Improvements in the latter case have been made and could spark some decline from that cause in the future.
Second cancers can be especially hard to treat. Depending on the first treatment, radiation may not be available, because in most cases, it cannot be used in the same area of the body again. Also some cancer-fighting drugs have limitations on the amount that can be used without causing heart or nerve damage.
The researchers say the second cancer can be mentally more challenging than the first. The feeling of “not again”, reminds patients of the difficulties faced in the first regimen and makes it harder to remain optimistic.
Occurrence of a second cancer also means doctors need to evaluate the genetic risk factors of the patient and possibly other family members.
Experts advise cancer survivors to remain diligent in seeking and monitoring their health care, and be mindful of other cancer possibilities that may be in different areas of the body.
