Patients
FAQs
1) What are the most common forms of cancer in Austria?
After cardiovascular diseases cancer is the second most cause of death in Austria. According to „Statistics Austria“ approximately 35,000 people in Austria come down with cancer annually. In 2002, about 18,600 people died of cancer. The most common form of cancer in men is prostate cancer, followed by lung cancer and colon cancer. Women very often suffer from breast cancer, followed by colon cancer. During the last years the risk for women to come down with and die of lung cancer has dramatically increased. The reason for this development is the fact that the number of smoking women has constantly gone up.
2) What causes cancer?
Cancer has no standardized disease pattern. The term cancer encompasses more than 100 different malignant diseases. Cancer originates if certain parts of inherited material (genes) change, these changes are not repaired and so genetic information is adulterated. These changes may be caused by UV rays, cigarette smoke, chemicals, viral infection, overindulgence of alcoholic beverages, malnutrition or hereditary predisposition. In most cases several of theses factors lead to the outbreak of cancer.
3) Is cancer a contagious disease?
Cancer is no contagious disease and therefore cannot be transferred to man. The exception are certain viral diseases that might result in risk of cancer (e.g. human papillomavirus as risk factor for cervical cancer or cirrhosis of the liver and cancer of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus).
4) Is cancer an inheritable disease?
Cancer is caused by genetic changes. In most cases these changes take place after birth – so they are not inherited. Only a very small number of cancer diseases (5 – 10%) has congenital reasons. In these affected families each generation suffers from cancer breaking out at a very early age. Members of such families are strongly advised to have regular preventive medical checkups and counseling sessions.
5) Is it my fault that I have cancer?
The question “why me?” is very often asked by cancer patients. It has been proven scientifically that there is no “cancer personality”. This knowledge is insofar important as it is very energy consuming to blame oneself for getting cancer. However, there are some factors that can be influenced to a certain degree (e.g. life style: smoking, alcohol, nutrition). Other factors like environmental factors or heredity that are decisive for cancer cannot be influenced by patients.
6) What influence does nutrition have on cancer?
Approximately one-third of all cancer cases is caused by malnutrition. In countries with a high rate of fat consumption the risk of coming down with prostate cancer is also higher. So we recommend the following: low fat foods decisively reduce the risk factor obesity (bowel cancer, breast cancer); much fresh fruit and vegetable; only little canned and cured food products; little alcohol; little animal food.
7) Under what circumstances can cancer be healed?
The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the higher are the chances for healing. So cancer can be healed at an early stage. Not only the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis is important for possible healing but also the type of cancer. Improved therapies after an operation contribute much to reduce the risk for metastases. If so called “distant metastases” occur nonetheless, the course of the disease can be influenced by drugs in many cases. But mostly no healing is possible (although there are exceptions)!
8) What does the term „five-year survival rate“ mean?
This term is a statistical figure for the percentage of patients who are still alive five years after the diagnosis of cancer. The percentage depends on the type of cancer, the stage at the time of diagnosis, the treatment opportunities, attendant diseases and the like. In reality each patient has his/her individual course of disease which may develop aside form statistics.
9) Does chemotherapy always lead to loss of hair?
Nowadays a lot of chemotherapeutically active substances are available for the treatment of cancer. So chemotherapy does not automatically lead to loss of hair. However, some drugs cause total loss of hair during the period of treatment (e.g. anthracyclines, taxanes). But after chemotherapy hair re-grows.
10) Do all age groups run the risk of getting cancer?
Apart from a few exceptions (e.g. testicular cancer) the risk of getting cancer increases with age.
11) Is there any appropriate diet for cancer patients?
Unfortunately there is no special diet for cancer patients. Nonetheless it is very important to pay attention to balanced nutrition in order to support therapies and convalescence. Balanced nutrition helps to improve the general condition of patients and strengthens the weakened immune system. Avoid hunger diets - tumors cannot be starved out! On the contrary. Hunger diets (and drinking the „juices“ over a long period of time) only weaken the organism of patients. In cases of underweight special high calorie foods (astronaut’s food) help to supply the body with needed energy.
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