Advancements In Cancer Treatment And How Scientists Are Fighting It Today

Cancer is a deadly disease that has affected millions of people worldwide.

According to a recent study by the American Cancer Society in 2025, there are 19 million people diagnosed with cancer and 10 million deaths each year worldwide, and these numbers could rise to over 33 million cases and 18 million deaths by 2050.

While these statistics highlight the growing cancer burden, advancements in treatment and ongoing research offer hope for reducing cancer impact in the future.

In this guide, you will learn about the emergence of cancer, the challenges people faced, the treatment options, and how modern scientific strategies are shaping cancer treatment.

How Cancer Emerged In Humans

In the human body, every day number of new cells develop, and old cells die. Cancer begins when normal cells undergo a mutation (a damage in the DNA sequence of an organism).

These mutations can cause the cells to grow and divide abruptly. As the cells mutate and multiply, they cause a mass called a Tumor. A tumor can be benign or malignant.

• Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body and typically grow slowly.
• Malignant tumors spread to other parts of the body through metastasis and are fast-growing.

What Challenges Did People Face Due To This?

People with cancer face multiple difficulties, like physical, psychological, social, and financial:

• Physical challenge: includes pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and side effects of treatment.
• Psychological challenge: includes depression, anxiety, and fear of recurrence.
• Social challenge: includes isolation and, lack of societal support.
• Financial challenge: includes medical expenses, travel costs, and loss of income.

Types Of Cancer Treatment

There are various types of cancer treatment available, depending on the type of cancer:

1.     Chemotherapy

In this treatment, drugs are used to kill the cancer cells and stop them from growing further. The drug is injected into a blood vessel, and it enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. This therapy lasts from three to six months.

When chemotherapy affects the healthy cells, it results in hair loss, anemia, and nausea. This is used in combination with other treatments like surgery, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy, depending on the type of tumor or cancer.

2.     Hormone Therapy

This treatment is used in a specific type of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer. It stops the cancer growth by blocking and lowering the hormone level. This therapy is given for a particular period of time, ranging from months to years.

Hormone therapy usually causes weight gain, mood swings, nausea, and the risk of blood clots.

3.     Immunotherapy

In this therapy, the body’s own immune system fights the cancer. This process introduces antibodies that prepare the immune system to fight cancerous cells.

This involves CAR-T Cell Therapy, which modifies T-cells and recognizes cancer cells.

Melanoma (skin cancer), Lung cancer, Breast cancer, Kidney cancer, and Bladder cancer are usually treated with immunotherapy. The side effects of this treatment include fatigue, fever, chills, and muscle aches.

4.     Radiation Therapy

In radiation therapy, high dose of energy rays(eg, X-rays) is used to destroy the cancer cells. This is usually done with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy. This therapy targets the specific area where cancer is located.

The time and frequency of this therapy are based on the specific individual. People who undergo this therapy usually face hair loss, nausea, irritation, and fatigue.

5.     Surgery

In surgery, the tumor is physically removed from the body. The oncologist usually performs surgery to remove the tumor and the part that is at risk of developing a tumor (such as removing the breast).

This can be done along with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

How Are Modern Advancements Fighting Cancer?

Scientists conduct various research to understand cancer mutations, develop drugs, and improve treatments through structured lab processes.

Here are different methods scientists use to study cancer:

1.       ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)Test

By using an ELISA kit, scientists measure the cancer makers and check the level of IL13RA2 recombinant protein. Through this test, scientists detect cancer biomarkers (like proteins, antigens, and receptors) present in blood or tissues.

Cancer cells contain special recombinant proteins like IL13RA2, and this detects their level. If the IL13RA2 receptor protein is high, it means the cancer is growing fast and is dangerous.

2.      Peptide/ Drug Test

After researchers check the level of IL13RA2 protein, they make a new peptide to block and reduce its growth. They make such drugs that stop the IL13 (cytokine) molecule from binding to the IL13RA2 receptor protein.

Then, using an ELISA kit, they check the effectiveness of the drug and, behaviour of the cancer cell.

3.      IHC (Immunohistochemistry)

This specific method helps to understand from which cell (breast, lungs, colon, etc) the cancer originates. It also measures the amount of protein that is high and which drug can treat it.

These discoveries led scientists to study how cancer cells act and how molecular changes determine how cancer cells behave.

What Preventive Measures Can One Take?

• Avoiding tobacco, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol.
• Eating healthy food and fruits.
• Getting vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine.
• Using sunscreen and mask to protect from sunlight.

Final Thought

Although cancer is difficult to deal with but advances in research and treatment provide hope. With proper precaution, early detection, and scientists’ efforts, the treatment of cancer will get better in the future.