Jakarta. Some think the side effects of chemotherapy greater than the benefits gained. Even the opportunity to heal itself of cancer believed to be even higher if left without chemotherapy. Is this correct?

Various writings about it widely circulated on websites and discussion forums on the internet. Most said that the cure rates of cancer who were treated with chemotherapy only about 3 percent, while the remaining 97 percent ended in failure.

This figure is then compared with other data showing that the opportunity to heal themselves of cancer without treatment. According to a data from Norway, 22 percent of breast cancers have spontaneus remission or cured by itself.

This comparison raises a presumption that the success of chemotherapy is not only low, but it also lowers the opportunity for the body to fight the cancer cell itself. In fact, a chemotherapy drug is lowering the immune system.

Chairman of the Oncology Association of Indonesia, Dr. Drajat Ryanto Suardi, SpB (K) Onk confirmed that the side effects of chemotherapy drugs can lower the body resistance. But to say that the chances of success of chemotherapy only 3 percent, he emphatically denied.

“I would say, the data that is not true. There are many factors that influence the effectiveness of chemotherapy and cure rates, and so far no scientific data that says so,” said Dr. Drajat when contacted on Tuesday (24/01/2012).

One of the factors that influence the success of chemotherapy according to Dr. Drajat is a type of cancer cells and their sensitivity to the drug. Malignant lymphoma (lymph cancer) and breast cancer for example, if a rough figure is roughly the average success rate of chemotherapy could reach 50 percent.

The next factor is the grade or degree of malignancy of cancer (cancer properties), which consists of three grades, the lower the grade of the cancer so the higher the success rate of chemotherapy. Both of these factors, grade and type of cancer is determined based on the results of examination of biopsy or tissue sample.

In addition, the stage or stages of cancer that consists of 4 stages also affect the success of chemotherapy. As an example for breast cancer, stage 1 had a success rate between 80-85 percent so early inspection will determine the chances of recovery.

Equally important, the determination of patients in the chemotherapy also determines the level of success. According to Dr. Drajat, if the patient had a strong determination to heal the body without realizing it will help to fight or resistance to cancer cells.

Related opinion that the chances of cancer cure can be higher if left untreated, Dr. Drajat less agree. Even when a patient decides to undergo an alternative treatment, medical treatment either in the form of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy remain should not be abandoned.

“Basically there are no prohibitions on alternative medicine. When just about to do is fine, the important medical should not be abandoned because if it’s just rely on alternative there is no scientific evidence,” Dr. message Drajat.

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