I'm a firm believer in palliative care, especially for cancer patients. I also believe in the virtues of hospice. But truth be told, sometimes the best thing a cancer patient can do is survive the day. Why? Because every day, cancer researchers are making strides. If you're a caregiver for a lung cancer patient, you know the serious nature of the disease, especially in the later stages.
New drugs are constantly coming on the market to treat various forms of cancer. Recently, several media organizations ran articles on a new lung cancer drug by Pfizer to help certain patients. Here's the Wall Street Journal's article on crizotinib:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903352704576538683370950462.html
What percentage of lung cancer patients can benefit from normal chemotherapy? Sadly, only about 10%. But according to published reports, researchers identified an ALK gene in 3-5% lung cancer patients. In a drug test, those with the ALK gene got crizotinib and the results were impressive in tumor reduction -- 60% of the 82 patients benefited.
Why does it matter that more than half of a small group of patients saw their tumors melt away? These are people who lived another day, whose lives were continued. Where there is life, there is hope. Where there is hope, there is opportunity. Sometimes the biggest obstacle for lung cancer patients is the fight to overcome the fear and depression of living with what is, in its later stages, a terminal illness. Every little bit brings us closer to a cure, and with it, the promise of a better tomorrow.
If you would like more information on cancer caregiving, visit The Practical Caregiver Guides:
www.practicalcaregiverguides.com
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