Cancer becomes a chronic disease... Consultant reveals the end of the chemotherapy era
Dr. Hadeer Mustafa Mir, a consultant in radiation oncology, revealed radical and historic transformations taking place in the medical sector worldwide, indicating that these developments may end the era of psychological and physical terror associated with cancer for decades.
The end of the era of "death sentences"
In exclusive statements to Al-Youm, Dr. Mir confirmed that the rapid technological and pharmaceutical progress has actually begun to change the concept of cancer from a fatal disease to a chronic disease, similar in nature to diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, where the patient can live with it for many years with a high quality of life, instead of dealing with it as a final death sentence.
This shift comes after decades of almost total reliance on traditional treatments, where chemotherapy was the first and most common option, despite its debilitating side effects that targeted both healthy and infected cells, leaving a significant impact on the patient's overall health and immunity.
Smart weapons and precision medicine
The Saudi consultant explained that the global treatment landscape is no longer limited to traditional options like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but has expanded to include an arsenal of "smart weapons." These weapons include immunotherapy, gene therapy, and targeted therapy, which are distinguished by their superior ability to precisely target cancer cells without harming healthy cells, thus reducing side effects to an unprecedented degree and increasing recovery rates.
Dr. Hadeer heralded the imminent dominance of precision medicine and personalized treatment, a revolutionary approach in which treatment plans are tailored to each patient's individual genetic profile. He noted that recent clinical studies have demonstrated the remarkable success of this methodology in treating breast, lung, and colon cancers, blood cancers, and even cases previously considered complex and hopeless.
Artificial intelligence is changing the rules of the game
In a related context, Dr. Hadeer pointed out that artificial intelligence has become a pivotal player, changing the rules of the medical game through advanced algorithms capable of analyzing X-ray and tissue images with speed and accuracy far exceeding human capabilities. These technologies give doctors the ability to proactively predict a patient's response to treatment and choose the most effective treatment protocol from the outset. He emphasized that technology here serves to enhance and support the doctor's decision with precise analytical tools, rather than superseding it.
A holistic perspective and global impact
The consultant pointed out that the new global trend has moved beyond simply eliminating the tumor biologically, to include a comprehensive strategy that focuses on psychological well-being, nutritional therapy, and pain management. He noted that research has demonstrated the possibility of reducing the dosage of traditional treatments in some modern protocols to preserve the patient's physical energy without compromising the effectiveness of disease eradication.
This medical development has significant positive implications at both the local and international levels, as converting cancer into a chronic disease helps alleviate the burden on health systems, reduces hospital stays, and has the economic and social impact of patients returning to their normal lives and contributing to society.
Dr. Hadeer concluded his speech with a message of reassurance to the community, stressing that the battle against cancer is no longer lost, but has become controllable and victorious, provided that there is a commitment to early detection, which remains the cornerstone of the success of these advanced treatments, and support for scientific research paths that draw new hope every day for thousands of patients.
