Does Chemotherapy Cure or Kill Cancer Patients - Coursework Example

Does Chemotherapy Cure or Kill Cancer Patients Author’s Name Institution’s Name Does Chemotherapy Cure or Kill Cancer Patients Abstract The aim of this research paper is to analyze whether chemotherapy helps to cure cancer patients, or if it kills them. To conduct this research effectively by gathering reliable data, relevant sources such as books, journals, and articles are used. In order to come up with an effective solution, this argumentative research paper focuses on both the advantages and limitation of chemotherapy. Firstly, the paper outlines the meaning and definition of chemotherapy method of treatment. In this section, which is the introduction, it outlines the reasons which make people to support or refute chemotherapy as a method of cancer treatment. Secondly, the paper explains the arguments of opponents in regards to why chemotherapy is not an effective method of cancer treatment. Additionally, the paper outlines why proponents support this method of medication. By outweighing these arguments, the research paper highlights the paper gives a final stand in regards to whether the method is effective or deadly. Introduction The advancement of technology in the contemporary society has resulted in the invention of new treatment methods. These methods aim at treating illnesses such as cancer, which is known as a deadly disease affecting both children and the aged. Chemotherapy is one of the most common methods for treating cancer. This treatment category involves the use of several anti-cancer drugs both in traditional and modern form (Muggia, 2013). Some of the traditional chemotherapeutic methods include bleomycin, whereas treatments such as MOPP therapy and Sidney Farber are categorized as a form of modern chemotherapy. There is a controversial debate on whether this method of treatment is effective or not. According to opponents, chemotherapy is not an effective method of treatment because it causes health side effects, it results in the death of more people than it cures, it is very toxic to the body cells, and it results in psychological and emotional stress. On the other hand, proponents argue that chemotherapy helps patients in gaining control over their cancer treatment, and it is known as the best therapy science-based medication. Despite these controversial arguments, it is evident that chemotherapy risks the health of cancer patients instead of curing them. Arguments Against Chemotherapy According to opponents of this method of treatment, chemotherapy results in health side effects on the patients, and this makes it both harmful and risky. Although medical officers use chemotherapy for treating cancer, it causes side effects just like others methods of treatment. The side effects deteriorate the immune system of the body, and this causes general weakness. These side effects are different, and they mainly depend on the type of cancer and an individual’s general body health. According to Muggia (2013), most patients have witnessed cases of nausea and throwing up after using this method. In other cases, about 55% of patients under this treatment complain about their hair falling off, and this has raised fear amongst other patients (Muggia, 2013). Another common side effect is fatigue, whereby the patients under therapy experience exhaustion almost all the time. Moreover, some patients and nurses claim that chemotherapy causes depression of the immune system and lose of weight. Other health side effects include lung damage, heart damage, and nerve damage among others. The reason why chemotherapy causes health side effects is because it works on active cells, which grow in the body and multiply into other types (Muggia, 2013). Health cells are similar active as cancer cells, and they include those in the blood, mouth, and the digestive system among others. Therefore side effects occur when the health cells are damaged by the chemotherapy. From this, it is evident that this method of treatment deteriorates the health of a patient. Additionally, opponents argue that chemotherapy is harmful, since it has killed more people than it has helped in reference to treating cancer. According to medical researchers, about 64% of conventional cancer treatments fail in improving the health status of patients (Kurstak, 2012). Most opponents also claim that chemotherapy contribute to the death of patients than cancer itself. The reason for these deaths is because the chemotherapy treatments are leading to death, which is triggered by other body ailments such as flu and pneumonia. Patients undergoing this treatment are mainly affected with pneumonia, which takes body control because it has minimal white blood cells. Hence, the body lacks the energy required in fighting infections. In his work, Kurstak (2012) states that most oncologists defend chemotherapy by claiming that death resulted from spreading of the cancer. In actual sense, when patients undergo chemotherapy, their immunity becomes demolished, and this means that they are likely to suffer severely from common infections. All these effects on the body reduce the chances of survival. Medical researchers also claim that many patients have died from chemotherapy overdose, especially after doctors give the wrong lab results about their health conditions. This happens in cases whereby the corrupt doctors want to fill their pockets without caring about the health of these patients. Although there is no scientific prove that the treatment method works, there are patients who are not willing to give up on chemotherapy. Moreover, those against this treatment method argue that chemotherapy is toxic compared to other natural methods of treatment. The drugs used on cancer patients work on the body cells; hence the toxicity of chemotherapy against the cancer is similar to the toxicity against normal cells. In 2011, Sue Crump who was a veteran pharmacist suffered from pancreatic cancer (Krans, 2016). According to Sue, her job exposure to toxic chemotherapy drugs resulted in her suffering from cancer. This means that chemicals such as cyclophosphamide and methotrexate, which are used for chemotherapy treatments, contain a lot of chemical substances. Most medical officers have complained of suffering from cancer after administering chemotherapy to patients. Since1970, there has been an increased rate of cancer infection amongst nurses and physicians (Krans, 2016). Furthermore patients discovered to suffer from cancer and are admitted in hospitals feed from 100% GMO toxic foods, beverages, and water (Krans, 2016). Krans refers to this as processing of cancer patients since it tolls down on their health (2016). In most cases, the body of cancer patients is not able to eliminate all the chemicals substances due to poor immunity. The amount and length of time that patients are exposed to these substances determines if they are at risk of adverse health effects. Therefore, the public is left to question if this method of treatment is effective or toxic and deadly. In addition, psychologists have come up with a research study to show that chemotherapy treatment cause patients to undergo psychological and emotional toll. According to these specialists, it is hard for a patient to handle living with cancer and at the same time deal with undertaking chemotherapy (Sikic & Rozencweig, 2016). In most cases, these patients tend to break down emotionally and psychologically due to a high level of stress. Moreover, these patients may feel afraid and anxious about their health condition and appearance, and in extreme cases, those undertaking chemotherapy tend to suffer from depression. It is quite overwhelming to juggle with work and family responsibilities, and at the same time undergo cancer treatment. In most cases, cancer patients are advised to opt for complementary therapies, for example, massages and relaxation exercises. It is also important to talk to a doctor if coping with the chemotherapy treatment becomes difficult. Opponents of chemotherapy also argue that patients can attend cancer support groups in order to interact with others who suffer from the same illness (Sikic & Rozencweig, 2016). Through these groups patients can learn how to share their feelings and experiences, and this will make them to cope with the illness without having to undergo chemotherapy. Therefore, it is not advisable to undergo a treatment, which only causes stress and depression to the patient. Arguments that Support Chemotherapy On the other hand, proponents of this method of treatment argue that chemotherapy enables patients to gain a better sense of control over cancer treatment. Some patients who undertake therapy claim that it gives them a sense of control, whereby they are aware of their health condition in regards to development of growth in the infected body cells (Partridge, Burstein, & Winer, 2005). Side Effects. Cancer treatment planning is known as one of the best practices towards managing the health of these patients. This means that when patients take the prescribed drugs and other medication, they acquire the perception that they are handling their illness in an effective manner. Attending the chemotherapy sessions also encourages them that their health stabilizes. In this case, chemotherapy enables patients to feel less ignorant and more concerned with their health condition. Although cancer may be chronic, patients believe that by undertaking chemotherapy, they are in a position to make the cancer go away or prevent it from spreading. According to Partridge, Burstein, & Winer (2005), research shows that chemotherapy treatment helps to improve the quality of life and gives patients a sense of hope. The treatment also enables the patients to learn about the progress of their work, and through this, they feel there are in charge of their health. Therefore, according to these proponents, cancer patients should take charge of their health condition by undertaking treatments that will help in improving it. Secondly, medical research, which supports chemotherapy, claims that it is the best therapy science-based medicine, which health professionals can offer. The extant of the modern research supports the use of chemotherapy for life-saving cancer patients (Bolt, 2012). Although the method is not as effective, medical officers argue that it is the best technique so far in eliminating the cancer growth. According to medical researchers, the main role of chemotherapy is to eliminate the cancer cells so as to prevent recurrence of the same illness. Physicians states that during some treatments, chemotherapy helps in the elimination of all cancer cells, making a patient to lead a normal and healthy life. Despites refutes by opponents about its effectiveness, it is scientifically proven that chemotherapy slows the growth of cancer and reduces the symptoms caused by the illness. From this, it is evident that the treatment controls the cancer. Hence, as the only modern method of curing cancer, chemotherapy improves the health of patients by shrinking the tumors. This in turn improves the quality of life of the patient through reduction of the pain caused by the tumor. Furthermore, chemotherapy is also effective because it reduces the level of pain and discomfort that is associated with suffering from cancer (Bolt, 2012). This is because the treatment prevents cancer from spreading, and this reduces pressure from body parts. Therefore, proponents claim that so far, chemotherapy is the only method of treatment that can relieve the pain of patients and improve their health. After analyzing both the opponents and proponents reasons, it is evident that they both argue based on scientific and medical perspectives. From the above research, it is evident that opponents are against the use of chemotherapy for treating cancer. Specifically, these opponents claim that this modern method of treatment only causes harm to the patients and puts them at risk. Proponents on the other hand support chemotherapy by claiming that it does more harm than good. This research shows that some medical researchers such as Sue are against chemotherapy, whereas other physicians believe that this method has greatly improved the patients’ quality of life. Similarly, some patients believe that this method is ineffective, and that it only causes suffering and more expenses. However, there are still patients who pursue this method. This shows that different patients and other people in the society have varying opinions, which are mainly determined by their past experiences or scientific knowledge. Based on the analysis above, it is evident that chemotherapy is not an effective method of treatment because it does more harm than good to the patients. However, this conclusion does not completely rule out its usefulness in reducing cancer cells. Medical researchers are still working towards inventing a more reliable and effective treatment of cancer. In my perspective, chemotherapy is harmful, and it only puts a patient’s health at more risk and death exposure. Conclusion Conclusively, it is evident that chemotherapy is a method of cancer treatment that has both negative and positive effects. In regards to the arguments against chemotherapy, this method of cancer treatment causes patients to suffer from health side effects such as damage of the heart, lungs, and liver. Secondly, proponents claim that chemotherapy has contributed to the death of many patients. Thirdly, this scientific method of treatment is toxic to the human body. Psychologists also claim that chemotherapy treatment results in both emotional and psychological stress among the patients. On the contrary, proponents of this method argue that it gives patients a sense of control over their cancer treatment. Secondly, it is known as the best therapy science-based medication because it minimizes the number of cancer cells in the body system. Based on these arguments, it is conclusive that arguments against chemotherapy treatment outweigh the proponents’ claims. Therefore, chemotherapy contributes to the death of many patients, and this makes it more harmful than effective. References Bolt, G. (2012). A randomized trial of alternating chemotherapy versus best supportive care in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer, 8(1), 60-69. Krans, B. (2016). Chemotherapy: What is chemotherapy? Healthline. Retrieved October 16th, 2016 from http://www.healthline.com/health/chemotherapy#Overview1 Kurstak, E. (2012). New vaccines and chemotherapy. New York: Plenum Medical Book Co. Muggia, F. M. (2013). Experimental and Clinical Progress in Cancer Chemotherapy. Boston, MA: Springer US. Partridge, A., H., Burstein, J., H., & Winer, E., P. (2005). Side Effects of Chemotherapy and Combined Chemohormonal Therapy in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Medical and Health Journal, 1 (30), 135-142. Sikic, B. I., & Rozencweig, M. (2016). Bleomycin chemotherapy. Orlando : Academic Press Read More