Cancer is the top killer disease today, accounting for slightly more than a quarter of all deaths worldwide.
The overall trend for cancer has been an increase in colon and rectum cancer which are now the most
common cancers among both males and females.
“More than half of cancer deaths may be prevented if they are detected early with screening. It is therefore
important for the public to know that there are effective screening programmes proven to reduce deaths
from certain cancers like breast, colorectal and cervix cancers,” says Dr Donald Poon, Consultant Medical
Oncologist at Raffles Hospital.
He added that the principle of treatment is to remove the primary tumour. “The earlier it is detected, the
more completely we can remove it by surgery.”
Post-surgery, patients may also have to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This is because even after
the surgeon has performed an excellent surgery to excise the primary tumour, small cancers cells may still
escape from it via our bloodstream, and settle elsewhere in our body such as the liver, lung, or even bones.
These are termed “micro-metastases”, and cannot be detected by conventional radiology scans.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Contrary to popular belief, healthy cells will not be
destroyed permanently along with the cancer cells as they will recover if the proper schedule of
chemotherapy administration is adhered to. Radiotherapy may also be given post-surgery to the site of the
primary tumour to reduce the risk of relapse at the site of surgery.
People diagnosed with advanced stage cancers should not lose hope in life, as there have been major
advances in the form of new drugs and treatment methods in advanced cancer treatment.
“Targeted therapy is increasingly being used now in treating advanced cancers. Targeted therapy or ‘smart
bombs’ are special drugs that zoom in on the molecular receptors within cancer cells. As the molecular
receptors are at very specific sites within the cancer cells, normal cells will be spared from the toxic effects
of the therapy. Targeted therapy may be used alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy to
help control cancers of the lung, breast, colon cancers and lymphoma,” says Dr Poon.
Another example of a relatively new treatment method available is the OXAFI treatment. This treatment,
created by Dr Poon, is used mainly in the treatment of liver cancers. It basically uses a combination of
chemotherapy and immunotherapy to boost the patient’s immune system. The chemotherapy doses used
are low yet effective.
“Patients will only experience mild side effects and that is one of the advantages of OXAFI. In addition, it is
affordable and highly effective in treating some subtypes of liver cancers. The first patient who received the
OXAFI treatment is a lady whose tumour had already invaded a vein in the liver. Post treatment, the tumour
completely regressed upon microscopic examination with no viable tumour cells. It has been 5 years since,
and she is doing well without any signs of relapse,” says Dr Poon.
While research has introduced many new treatment methods, time is essence in the fight against cancer and
cancer screening remains the mainstay of this early detection strategy. Make an appointment with your
doctor today to find out what are the recommended tests you should take.
Raffles Cancer Centre at Raffles Hospital offers first-class care, treatments and facilities to our patients. We
provide all aspects of cancer care from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and cure. In addition, Raffles
Cancer Centre also offers support services such as pain management and counselling to our patients and
their families.
