Popular Options for Treating Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death, morbidity, and mortality worldwide and was responsible for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. Staying away from tobacco and alcohol, limiting time in the sun, being physically active and eating healthy foods has been credited with reducing the risk of developing most types of cancers. There are also various screening tests that can be done for some types of cancers so they can be found as early as possible and before they have spread.

Effective Treatments

Significant improvements can be made by detecting cancer early and avoiding delays in care. This can be achieved through early diagnosis, which consists of clinical evaluation, diagnosis, staging, and access to care. There are also screening programs such as visual inspection for cervical cancer, mammography screening for breast cancer, or HPV testing for cervical cancer that aim to identify individuals with abnormalities suggestive of specific cancers.

Common types of cancers, like breast cancer, oral, and colorectal, cervical cancer have increased cure rates when caught and treated early. There are also vaccines that have proven useful in treating cancers that are caused by viruses such as the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Medical equipment such as the linear accelerator machine has the ability to deliver another type of cancer treatment using intensity modulated radiation therapy. Linear accelerator machines use excessive energy x-ray, commonly known as microwave technology, fit to the tumor’s shape to destroy cancer cells while protecting the surrounding healthy tissue.

This next point is geared toward addressing various safety concerns of patients that come with using this medical equipment. It doesn’t matter whether the linear accelerator machine is new or a refurbished LINAC system because, in the hands of a competent radiation oncologist, patients can expect to receive the appropriate treatment volume and dosage.

Proper Testing an Maintenance

Doctors who work with linear accelerator machines also perform consistent safety checks before treatment is given and the regular maintenance of the equipment is not only to alleviate the delivery of a higher dose than the radiation oncologist has prescribed but also to ensure that any malfunctions during the treatment process never occurs.

A new or refurbished LINAC system will make clicking or whirring sounds similar to a vacuum cleaner, which may scare patients. The radiation therapist controls the movement and checks to ensure that the equipment is working properly and he or she is there to stop the machine if by any chance a patient is concerned about anything that is happening in the treatment room or feels uncomfortable during the treatment.

Quality Treatment

Continual improvement of medical imaging equipment is important, especially when a medical practitioner wants to benefit his practice in both patient quality care and staff productivity. Not only have new technological advances in radiation therapy made life easier for cancer patients, but ongoing investment in new technology is now making treatments quicker, accurate and effective, therefore making this form of therapy a popular option for treating cancer and reducing its recurrence.


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