do chemotherapy and radiation really work? or do they only prolong life for some people for a short while

[Jean C]

what are the alternatives?
its not their only hope to try ,take a look at cancermed.com and you will see.

[layla]

It depends on the person and their particular condition. For some, it works wonders. For others it doesn't, but it may be their only hope to try anyway.
An oncologist will usually tell you from the start what kind of chances there are before you begin treatment. They leave it up to you what you want to do after getting the facts.
EDIT---I said it MAY be their only hope. Beware of these cure-all nonsense treatments that people try to sell to vulnerable ill people.

[freddy123]

sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn, depends on how severe and agressive and far gone the cancer is before treatment is started.

my grandad had a soft tissue sarcoma two years ago which was operated on, and then he had radiotherapy to remove the last bits of tumor and cancerous cells, and he has been fine so far. although they can always come back, so you can never say they have been cured until they die of other causes.

however on the other hand, one of our neighbours had breast cancer afew years ago, had chemotherapy for it and the doctors said they had got it all, and this year it has come back in her other breast and lung (shes a non-smoker btw, always has been). shes on chemotherapy again, but its not looking so good.