Do Other Countries Have Different Cancer Treatments?
Question by Laura: Do other countries have different cancer treatments?
I am aware of “alternative cancer treatments” and arguments that the medical community in the US does not want to ‘cure’ cancer. This is not my question, though!
I live in the US and have all my life and don’t get to travel much at all. I don’t know much about how other countries’ healthcare system works or about the regulations.
In the US when you have cancer, aside from experimental treatments or alternative treatments that aren’t approved by the FDA, your options are basically chemotherapy / radiation. I was wondering if other countries have other methods of treating cancer that are not used in the US. Do other countries have their own FDAs? I assume they do, and so if there are other treatments of cancer in other countries, they have to meet certain criteria, right?
The problem with my question is I’m not sure the exact question I’m trying to ask, but I think the gist of it is “Do other countries have methods of treating cancer, approved by the government, but that aren’t approved in the US? (and vice versa) And if so, why is this the case (different regulations?)?”
Just to be clear, I do not have cancer. I am not seeking alternative treatments. I am not looking for information on hollistic or ‘alternative treatments’. I am purely interested on treatments that doctors are able to ‘prescribe’, as in, treatments that are approved by the government. I am not bashing or trying to ignore alternative treatments, but that is just not the information I’m looking for.
Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by Ronnie
The simple basic answer is yes and no. It depends on the country you are in. There are basic medical practices and treatments that are medically approved worldwide for the treatments of cancer because they have been medically proven by the World Medical Community.
In most first world countries, the treatments for different cancers are going to be very close. Some of the drugs may vary a little and the protocols may differ a little but the overall treatment will be about the same.
In developing countries, there could be a major difference due to the availability of current training for Doctors and Oncology Staff, also the availability of cancer drugs and other treatments such a different types of radiation therapy. Many countries do not have the same access to certain Chemo drugs that others may. This part sucks but it is true.
The other consideration you have to take into account are the different religions and superstitions that are prevalent in many other countries that do have an impact on any type of medical treatment, not just cancer.
There are many different organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and many others that set up recommendations for treatments and medical protocols for the entire world, however, they are there for recommendations, not to enforce that particular countries medical laws and practices. They assist in training medical staff around the world and assist in research.
Almost every country has some sort of their version of our FDA. In many countries, they are not as strict as the US when it come to testing new cancer drugs or treatments. Then there are countries that are much more stringent on trials for new cancer treatments.
So your question is a very good one but a very broad one and I wanted to keep this short. I hope this helps a little.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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