What is cancer?

Cancer is a general term for a large group of diseases, whose causes, characteristics and occurrence can vary greatly. There is no completely clear-cut definition of cancer. Cancer is particularly a disease of older people. Due to population ageing, we have seen an increase in cancer incidence.

Read article

Alternative cancer treatments

There is no official definition of alternative cancer therapies or belief-based treatments. Alternative treatments involve therapies and methods that are not rooted in medical scientific knowledge and their effectiveness or safety has not been reliably established.

Read article

Diagnosis – It can’t be true!

Everyone has their own way of dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Very often it causes a crisis.

Read article

When death is near

An incurable illness and the awareness of approaching death inevitably affect your feelings and thoughts.

Read article

Palliative and hospice care

The aim of palliative care is to relieve symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.

Read article

Cancer patients’ rights

Patients are entitled to receive good health and medical care and treatment that do not violate their human dignity, beliefs or privacy. Finland has a law on the status and rights of patients.

Read article

Side effects of cytotoxic drugs

Cytotoxic drugs have adverse side effects. However, your functional capacity during treatment is usually good.

Read article

Cytotoxic drugs or cytostatics

Cytotoxic drugs or cytostatics (also cytotoxic chemotherapy) are drugs used to destroy cancer cells. Cytotoxic drugs inhibit cell division and in this way cause cancer cells to die. Cytotoxic drugs are transported in the bloodstream throughout the body.

Read article

Cancer surgery

Surgery is the first option in the treatment of many firm malignant tumours. Surgery to treat cancer removes the cancerous tumour and the healthy tissue surrounding it to prevent the spread of the tumour locally.

Read article

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a common from of cancer treatment. Radiotherapy uses high energy, ionising radiation, known as radioactivity. Along with surgery, radiotherapy is another important form of treatment of localised cancer.

Read article