There are more than 150 different types of cancer that affect the human. Many of them can be treated to acceptable levels and the treatment options get better through constant research. However, cancer is still responsible for about 10 million of the 60 million deaths that occur in the human population per year. That equates to more than 27,000 cancer related deaths every day. 

​

Clinicians can offer different methods of treatment that include: 

1. Surgery: doctors cut out the cancer and its edges

2. Chemotherapy: the use of powerful cancer-killing medicines

3. Radiotherapy: the use of strong X-rays to kill cancer cells

​

For survivors and non-survivors, supportive care is often necessary to ensure that the remainder of their lives is made comfortable and filled with happy memories. The care of cancer should be directed by doctors and clinicians, and supportive care is best used in combination with the methods chosen by the treating clinicians. Supportive Care can be Palliative or Hospice.

 

• Palliative Care

This is the treatment given to relieve, rather than cure, the symptoms caused by cancer. It aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families, and to help people live more comfortably. It offers relief for physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual problems. It is best given in addition to conventional treatment.

​

• Hospice

This is similar to the comforts provided by Palliative Care but it is more directed at helping the individual accept the reality of death. It is often directed at those who are not likely to survive their cancer diagnosis for more than 6 months.