When cancer is staged as incurable, there may still be treatments available to help control the disease, slow it down, or lessen its impact on you.

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Advanced, Incurable — Understanding difficult words

After obtaining an ovarian cancer diagnosis, you may hear a variety of terminology and words used. One painful phrase may be “incurable”. You may find it difficult to think rationally, even if you were aware that the cancer was advancing or would recur. While “incurable” indicates that the cancer has progressed to the point where a cure is no longer conceivable, there may still be treatments available to help control the disease, slow it down, or lessen its impact on you.

“Palliative care” may sound disturbing, but it simply refers to the care of someone who has an incurable illness. It strives to preserve and improve your quality of life while also providing you with physical, emotional, spiritual, and social support.

You may hear the term “end of life”. This is commonly used to describe situations in which it is believed that someone has a year or fewer to live. Although it may sound devastating, the major purpose of using this term is to assist people with incurable cancer live well.

“Terminal care” refers to the final weeks or days. However, it is vital to realize that people can live with incurable cancer for weeks, months, or even years.

Living with an incurable cancer may require a variety of treatments to keep it under control. Some people make a conscious decision to discontinue active therapy as they become too unwell to continue it. In such a situation, your medical team will prioritize making you as comfortable as possible while treating any painful or distressing symptoms.

Advanced Cancer — Are clinical trials an option?

Treatment selections might be tough, especially if the cancer is rare or the situation is advanced. In this case, you and your loved ones may look for edge-cutting choices. TheKnowHow second opinion service can assist you distinguishing between proven or promising choices and untrustworthy services.

A clinical trial could be a viable and reliable choice. Clinical trials are medical research studies which investigate at potential novel medicines, new ways to administer therapies, or other types of treatments and compare them with current treatments. Initially, researchers examine prospective new medications in the laboratory. If they promise to be safe and effective, they will proceed to testing them carefully in people.

Clinical trial — Potential benefits and disadvantages?

There are numerous possible benefits to participating in a study, but there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. Many women see participating in a clinical trial as a positive experience.

Potential benefits of clinical trials include:

• Getting a new treatment before it’s widely available
• Being one of the first to benefit if the drug or treatment works
• Receiving additional monitoring and care by regular tests and check-ups
• Helping advance medical knowledge for the benefit of women now and in the future

Often, studies are randomized, so you won’t know whether you’re getting the novel or usual treatment. Some research has shown participating in a study enhances long-term survival even if you do not receive the novel treatment. It has been argued that hospitals conducting medical research deliver superior care.
What are the disadvantages of taking part in a clinical trial? Clinical trials frequently entail an experimental treatment. Therefore, you should be aware of the following disadvantages that may result from participating.

Potential disadvantages of clinical trials include:

• You may not receive the new medicine under testing. As studies compare novel treatments to existing treatments, you may be chosen to receive either the new or standard treatment. Consenting to participate in a trial does not guarantee you will receive the new medicine.
• The new treatment may not work better than the standard treatment.
• The new treatment might have unanticipated adverse effects.
• The clinical trial may cause inconvenience:
  Medical appointments may take a long time.
  You may need to travel to the study site multiple times or stay in the hospital.

For your loved ones: Creating memories

People who love and care for you may be shocked and upset upon hearing that the cancer is no longer curable. Spending time with people you love or care about, as well as doing things that are meaningful to you, can help make this time special rather than sad and scared. Loved ones will cherish memories that have been made and created specifically for them.
If you have children, consider making a memory box for them, filled with photographs, treasured objects, or souvenirs from trips. It reminds your children of unique times with you and your relationship with them.

You may leave a digital legacy by creating movies on our phones to capture unique events or simply sharing your thoughts and dreams for your children, such as telling a favorite story or recalling a holiday. There are an increasing variety of memory apps available for collecting photographs, texts, and music on your phone or other device.

There are numerous inventive methods to carry your voice, hopes, and dreams into the future, which your children and grandkids will sincerely treasure.

If you need reassurance by an independent second medical opinion, connect with us. TheKnowHow is at your side. Visit us at TheKnowHow.ae.