Let's Talk About Cancer — Part 3: Understanding Cancer Treatments
Kayla Cares | October 22, 2026(I forgot to schedule this one to come out, sorry its late again)
When someone hears the words "You have cancer," I can only imagine how many questions immediately start running through their mind.
What happens next?
Am I going to need chemotherapy?
Will I lose my hair?
Will I need surgery?
Is there a cure?
And probably one of the scariest questions:
"Am I going to survive this?"
Over the last two weeks, we've talked about what cancer is, what can cause it, and how different biomarkers can affect a diagnosis.
But now I want to talk about something that many people have heard of but may not completely understand.
Cancer treatments.
When most people think about cancer treatment, they immediately think about chemotherapy, losing hair, and spending hours in a hospital.
But did you know that not everyone with cancer needs chemotherapy?
Some people need surgery. Others need radiation, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of treatments.
And some people may never experience the side effects we commonly associate with cancer treatment.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the treatments someone receives depend on the type of cancer, how advanced it is, and several individual medical factors.
So, let's break down what these treatments actually do.
1. Surgery — Removing the Cancer
Surgery is one of the oldest and most common cancer treatments.
The goal is usually to physically remove cancerous tissue from the body.
Sometimes doctors can remove the entire tumor. Other times, they may remove only part of it, surrounding tissue, or nearby lymph nodes.
For example:
Breast cancer: A lumpectomy removes the cancer and some surrounding tissue, while a mastectomy removes breast tissue.
Colon cancer: Surgery may remove the affected section of the colon.
Lung cancer: Depending on the diagnosis, surgeons may remove a portion of the lung or an entire lobe.
Skin cancer: Some cancers can be removed through relatively small surgical procedures.
But here's something important.
Having surgery doesn't automatically mean someone is cancer-free.
Some patients need additional treatment afterward to destroy cancer cells that may remain.
Others may receive chemotherapy or radiation before surgery to shrink the tumor.
And for some people, surgery may not be possible or appropriate.
What About Recovery?
Depending on the procedure, recovery may involve pain, fatigue, limited mobility, wound care, physical therapy, or changes to how the body functions.
Some surgeries can also permanently change someone's appearance.
Think about someone undergoing a mastectomy.
They aren't simply having a tumor removed. They may be experiencing a significant physical change that can affect how they feel about their body.
And while we're focusing on the medical side today, I think it's important to remember that treatment can involve more than just physical healing.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Cancer Surgery
2. Chemotherapy — What Does It Actually Do?
Chemotherapy is probably one of the most recognized cancer treatments.
But what exactly is it?
According to the National Cancer Institute, chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
Cancer cells often divide rapidly.
Chemotherapy targets this process, but here's the problem:
Some healthy cells divide rapidly, too.
That includes cells involved in hair growth, the digestive tract, and blood cell production.
This is one reason chemotherapy can cause so many different side effects.
How Is Chemotherapy Given?
Chemotherapy isn't always an IV drip in a hospital.
Depending on the medication, it may be given through:
An IV or implanted port
Pills or capsules taken by mouth
Injections
Other specialized methods
Some people receive treatment weekly, while others have longer breaks between treatments.
These treatment schedules are often called cycles.
The breaks allow the body time to recover.
Why Does Chemotherapy Cause Hair Loss?
Hair follicles contain rapidly dividing cells.
Because some chemotherapy medications affect those cells, hair can become thinner or fall out.
But not every chemotherapy medication causes hair loss.
Some people lose all their hair.
Some experience thinning.
Others don't lose much at all.
Other Possible Side Effects
Chemotherapy can cause:
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue
Mouth sores
Changes in appetite or taste
Diarrhea or constipation
Low blood cell counts
Increased infection risk
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Not everyone experiences these effects, and their severity varies.
Doctors also have medications and supportive treatments that can help manage many of them.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer
3. Radiation Therapy — Using Radiation to Destroy Cancer Cells
When people hear the word radiation, it can sound frightening.
But radiation therapy is a carefully planned medical treatment.
It uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from continuing to divide.
Over time, damaged cancer cells may die.
Different Types of Radiation
External beam radiation uses a machine outside the body to direct radiation toward the cancer.
Internal radiation, sometimes called brachytherapy, involves placing a radiation source inside or near the area being treated.
There are also treatments that deliver radioactive substances through the body, such as radioactive iodine for certain thyroid cancers.
Radiation may be used alone or alongside surgery, chemotherapy, or other treatments.
Does Radiation Hurt?
The radiation beam itself generally isn't painful during external beam treatment.
But side effects can develop as treatment continues.
These may include:
Fatigue
Skin irritation
Swelling
Changes in appetite
Difficulty swallowing, depending on the treatment area
Bowel or bladder changes, depending on the treatment area
And here's something people may not realize:
Radiation side effects often depend on which part of the body is being treated.
Someone receiving radiation to the breast may experience very different side effects from someone receiving radiation to the head or abdomen.
Most external beam radiation treatments do not make the patient radioactive.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Radiation Therapy
4. Immunotherapy — Helping the Immune System Fight Cancer
This is one of the areas of cancer treatment that I find particularly interesting.
Our immune systems are designed to recognize and respond to things that don't belong in our bodies.
But cancer cells can sometimes avoid detection or interfere with the immune response.
Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize or attack cancer.
Certain immunotherapy medications, called checkpoint inhibitors, block signals that cancer cells use to suppress immune responses.
Immunotherapy may be used for selected cases of:
Lung cancer
Melanoma
Kidney cancer
Bladder cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer
Certain colorectal cancers
Other cancers with specific characteristics
But immunotherapy doesn't work for everyone.
Doctors may use biomarkers to help determine whether a person is likely to benefit.
What Are the Side Effects?
Because immunotherapy changes how the immune system behaves, it can sometimes cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue.
Possible side effects include fatigue, skin reactions, diarrhea, and inflammation affecting organs such as the lungs, liver, intestines, or thyroid.
Some reactions can become serious and require urgent medical attention.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer
5. Targeted Therapy — Treating Specific Cancer Characteristics
Remember last week's blog about HER2 and other cancer biomarkers?
This is where that information becomes especially important.
Targeted therapies are medications designed to interfere with specific molecules or processes that help cancer cells grow and survive.
Instead of treating every cancer the same way, doctors may be able to select medications based on the characteristics of a person's tumor.
For example, HER2-positive breast cancer may respond to HER2-targeted medications such as trastuzumab.
Certain lung cancers with specific EGFR gene changes may respond to EGFR-targeted medications.
And some leukemias respond to medications that block particular abnormal proteins.
Does Targeted Therapy Have Side Effects?
Yes.
The word targeted doesn't mean the treatment is harmless.
Side effects vary depending on the medication and can include diarrhea, skin problems, fatigue, liver problems, high blood pressure, or other complications.
Some targeted therapies can also affect heart function.
And cancer cells can sometimes develop resistance to treatment.
Still, targeted therapies have significantly expanded treatment options for certain cancers.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Targeted Therapy
6. Hormone Therapy — Slowing Hormone-Sensitive Cancers
Some cancers use hormones to help them grow.
Two common examples are certain breast cancers and prostate cancers.
Hormone therapy works by reducing hormone production or blocking the effects of hormones that encourage cancer growth.
For hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, medications may block estrogen receptors or reduce estrogen levels.
For prostate cancer, treatment may reduce testosterone levels or block their effects on cancer cells.
Possible Side Effects
Depending on the medication, hormone therapy may cause:
Hot flashes
Fatigue
Mood changes
Joint discomfort
Changes in sexual function
Bone thinning
Menopausal symptoms
These treatments may continue for months or even years.
And although someone might not look like they're undergoing cancer treatment, that doesn't mean they aren't experiencing side effects.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Hormone Therapy
7. Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants
This treatment is commonly associated with certain blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
A blood stem cell transplant helps restore the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells after intensive treatment.
Stem cells may come from the patient or a donor.
Before transplantation, patients may receive high-dose chemotherapy, sometimes with radiation.
The transplant then helps rebuild blood cell production.
Recovery can be lengthy, and complications may include infections, bleeding, and other serious problems.
Donor transplants also carry a risk of graft-versus-host disease, in which donor immune cells attack the recipient's tissues.
This is a specialized treatment and isn't appropriate for every cancer or every patient.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Blood Stem Cell Transplants
What Treatments Are Commonly Used for Different Cancers?
I wanted to include this section because it's easy to hear the word cancer and assume everyone receives the same treatment.
But that's far from the truth.
Here are a few examples.
Breast Cancer
Depending on the stage and subtype, treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, HER2-targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
Lung Cancer
Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Certain genetic changes can make targeted medications especially important.
Colorectal Cancer
Surgery is commonly used for localized colon cancer.
Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation in selected rectal cancer cases, or immunotherapy for certain tumors may also be recommended.
Prostate Cancer
Options can include active surveillance, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and other medications.
Not every prostate cancer requires immediate treatment.
Leukemia
Depending on the type, treatment may involve chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or stem cell transplantation.
Because leukemia affects blood-forming tissues, surgery generally isn't the main treatment.
Skin Cancer
Some skin cancers can be treated with surgery alone.
More advanced melanoma or other skin cancers may require immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, or additional treatments.
These are examples, not complete treatment plans.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Cancer Treatment by Type
What Is the Difference Between a Cure, Remission, and Palliative Care?
These are three terms that people sometimes confuse.
Cure
A cure means treatment has eliminated the cancer and it is not expected to return.
Doctors may be cautious about using this word because recurrence can sometimes happen years later.
Remission
Remission means the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or disappeared.
Partial remission means the cancer has responded but hasn't completely disappeared.
Complete remission means there is no detectable evidence of cancer using the available tests.
Complete remission doesn't always guarantee that cancer will never return.
Palliative Care
This is one I really want people to understand.
Palliative care does not automatically mean someone is dying.
Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms, managing side effects, and improving quality of life.
Someone can receive palliative care while actively undergoing treatment intended to cure their cancer.
It can help with pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and other challenges.
Hospice care is different. It focuses on comfort and quality of life when a person is approaching the end of life rather than pursuing curative treatment.
Research: CDC — Cancer Treatments
What About Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies involving people that help doctors evaluate treatments and approaches to care.
Some trials study new medications.
Others compare existing treatments, test new combinations, or look for better ways to reduce side effects.
Participating in a clinical trial doesn't guarantee that a new treatment will work.
But clinical trials are an important part of how cancer care improves.
Patients considering a trial should understand its potential benefits, risks, eligibility requirements, and alternatives.
Research: National Cancer Institute — Clinical Trials
What People Don't Always See During Cancer Treatment
I think this is something we need to talk about.
When we picture someone receiving cancer treatment, we often imagine a hospital bed, an IV pole, or someone who has lost their hair.
But cancer treatment doesn't always look like that.
Sometimes it looks like someone sitting at home, completely exhausted after doing something as simple as taking a shower.
Sometimes it's someone who can't stand the smell of their favorite meal anymore.
Sometimes it's someone taking medications every day for years.
Sometimes it's someone who looks perfectly healthy on the outside but is dealing with pain, fatigue, or fear that nobody else can see.
And sometimes treatment itself becomes one of the hardest parts of the entire experience.
I think it's important that we remember that.
Because someone doesn't have to look sick to be going through something incredibly difficult.
And just because their treatment doesn't look like someone else's doesn't mean their experience is any less real.
Something I Want Everyone to Remember
Cancer treatment has come a long way.
We have more options today than people had decades ago.
Research continues to improve medications, surgical techniques, radiation technology, and supportive care.
But cancer treatment is still complicated.
There isn't one medication, one surgery, or one treatment plan that works for everyone.
And I want to end with something I believe is incredibly important.
The outcome of someone's cancer treatment is not a measurement of how hard they fought.
Someone can do everything their doctors recommend and still have their cancer progress.
Someone else may respond extremely well to treatment.
Neither outcome determines someone's strength, courage, or worth.
Cancer is a disease.
It isn't a competition.
And nobody should ever feel like they didn't fight hard enough.
Coming Next: The Emotional Impact of Cancer
Next Thursday, October 29, we're going to talk about something that deserves just as much attention as the medical side.
The emotional impact of cancer.
Not just on the person diagnosed, but on their spouse, children, parents, friends, and caregivers.
We'll talk about fear, uncertainty, exhaustion, grief, and what happens when cancer changes an entire family's everyday life.
Because cancer doesn't just affect the body.
Sometimes it changes everything around a person, too.
With love,
Kayla
Kayla Cares LLC
Educational Disclaimer
This blog is intended for educational and awareness purposes only. I am not a physician, and this information is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Cancer treatments, risks, and outcomes vary by individual. Always consult an oncology team regarding treatment decisions, side effects, and medical concerns.
Research Sources and Further Reading
National Cancer Institute — Types of Cancer Treatment
Overview of the major cancer treatments and how they are selected.National Cancer Institute — Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer
Explains chemotherapy, its purposes, and common side effects.National Cancer Institute — Radiation Therapy
Explains radiation delivery, treatment purposes, and potential side effects.National Cancer Institute — Immunotherapy
Reviews how immunotherapy works and possible immune-related complications.National Cancer Institute — Targeted Therapy
Explains treatments directed at specific cancer-related changes.National Cancer Institute — Hormone Therapy
Describes treatments for hormone-sensitive cancers.National Cancer Institute — Stem Cell Transplants
Explains the role of transplants in cancer care.American Cancer Society — Cancer Treatment Types
Patient-friendly information about treatment options and supportive care.CDC — Cancer Treatments
Explains treatment selection, treatment goals, and palliative care.National Cancer Institute — Cancer Treatment Clinical Trials
Explains the purpose and role of clinical trials.
