Finding Treatments to Extend Lifespan Without Fixating on Chemotherapy
Cancer has become both a familiar and formidable foe in today’s world. With remarkable advancements in medicine, cancer treatment in Japan is considered top-tier globally, particularly in the realm of chemotherapy, where its usage is prolific. Consequently, the cure rates for cancer have surged, with claims of over 90% remission rates for certain types. However, what often gets overlooked is that curing cancer doesn’t necessarily equate to extending one’s lifespan. Some treatments may paradoxically undermine life expectancy by sacrificing it for the sake of eliminating cancer.
In Japan, the probability of being diagnosed with cancer during one’s lifetime is 65.5% for men and 51.2% for women (more than one in two individuals for both genders). However, the likelihood of succumbing to cancer is 26.2% for men (about one in four) and 17.7% for women (about one in six).
Cancer has become a prevalent ailment, and chances are you know someone who has battled it. While medical advancements have improved survival rates, the unintended consequences of overly aggressive treatments are increasingly apparent. In essence, there’s a growing concern about excessive treatments.
Is Persistence Always Best?
Striving for the best treatment doesn’t always yield optimal results. For instance, pancreatic cancer hasn’t been considered a candidate for surgery in Western countries for decades. Yet, pushing futile treatments has led to situations where individuals, who could have lived for one or two years, end up with significantly shorter lifespans, sometimes only a few months. Similarly, stories abound of administering multiple types of chemotherapy with no hope of cure, only to shorten the patient’s life expectancy.
Chemotherapy: A Double-Edged Sword
While chemotherapy plays a vital role in Japan across various stages of cancer treatment, countries like the United States and Western Europe are increasingly disillusioned, labeling chemotherapy as a promoter of cancer growth. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) shocked the world in 1988 with a report spanning thousands of pages declaring chemotherapy as a cancer promoter. Moreover, there are reports suggesting that while using three types of chemotherapy may shrink tumors, it can also reduce lifespan by seven to ten times.
Chemotherapy, for many, yields dramatic results. However, it predominantly falls under the category of “potent” or “toxic” drugs. While it may shrink tumors, it can also cause significant harm to the body. If no discernible effects are observed, discontinuing chemotherapy promptly and opting for alternative treatments often leads to better outcomes. While chemotherapy aimed at curing cancer shouldn’t be dismissed, it’s essential to recognize that using chemotherapy to prolong life may paradoxically shorten it.
Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy Take Center Stage
Cancer treatment primarily revolves around three avenues: surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, in developed nations, there’s a shifting focus towards alternative therapies like immunotherapy and gene therapy. While the United States has witnessed a decline in cancer-related deaths, Japan, where the three major treatments, including chemotherapy, remain predominant, continues to see an increase in cancer fatalities.
If you feel current treatments are ineffective, seeking a second opinion or exploring non-insurance-covered treatments might be worthwhile.
By Admin|2024-03-13|News Release,|