Awaiting diagnosis arkistot - All about cancer

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.

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.

Ask for advice

Ask for advice from one of the CSF’s oncology nurses

Cancer and fertility

Cancer patients of childbearing age are often worried about their possibilities to have children after undergoing treatment for cancer. The issue is increasingly topical because nowadays a greater proportion of people who have cancer in their childhood or youth recover from the disease.

Targeted drugs

An increasing number of anti-cancer drugs are based on specific abnormalities in the structure and function of cells in a particular tumour type.

Diagnosis – It can’t be true!

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

Cancer genetics

According to current estimates, only about one in 10 cases of cancer is associated with hereditary predisposition. Cancer is not inherited.

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.

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.

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.

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Cancer Society of Finland

Cancer organizations maintain several sites intended for different target groups

National patient organizations

Reactions are part of adaptation

Having cancer can affect your sexuality in many ways

How should you tell them at work that you have cancer?

It is best not to delay applying for benefits, as many may have deadlines

When you have cancer, exercise is important in terms of your wellbeing and recovery

Cancer affects a person’s diet and eating habits in many ways

There is no completely clear-cut definition of cancer

Cancer treatments are being continually developed

The situation of each cancer patient is unique

Cancer is not inherited

Health services must be available equitably

Living with chronic cancer

The illness affects the quality of both your lives

The death of a loved one and the ensuing grief is a long process with many stages

Once your treatments are over, your recovery from cancer is often just beginning

How to make going back to work succeed?

Follow-up is needed to detect adverse effects of treatment and recurrence of the cancer

Do you want to discuss cancer or its treatment?

Peer support often makes things easier for patients and their loved ones

Courses are organised mainly in Finnish

Are you wondering about rehabilitation?

Read and participate in the discussion

Cancer magazine Awaiting diagnosis