Dealing with cancer and fighting against it isn’t an easy battle. Surviving cancer is one of the most incredible accomplishments someone can achieve.

However, even after successful treatment, some cancer patients still experience the cancer’s recurrence. Why is that so? Let’s dive in and explore why cancer comes back after treatment.

1. Cancer cells that stayed behind after treatment

Although treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy aims to kill all cancerous cells, there’s still a probability that some cancer cells remain despite the treatment’s effectiveness.

Those invasive cells can eventually grow and multiply to create a new cancer subpopulation in the body, eventually leading to a relapse.

2. Genetic mutations or mutations that occur after treatment

A cancer patient’s body composition may change during and after treatment. When DNA mutations occur, the cancer’s recurrence can be triggered.

Cells can also mutate into cancer cells due to hormonal changes, changes in bodily functions, and so on.

3. Cancerous cells that already spread before the treatment

Specific types of cancer can spread from the primary site to other parts of the body before it’s detected, leading to a diagnosis at a later stage.

Since early diagnosis is the key to better cancer treatment, detection of cancer in its early stages keeps a limit on cancer regression. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy aim to kill off small growths, but these treatments can’t work on larger tumors, leading to cancer recurrence.

4. Cancer’s resistance to treatments

One of the primary reasons why cancer comes back after treatment is because of cancer’s resistance to treatment. Cancerous cells develop resistance to the drugs and radiation that are designed to wipe them out.

Therefore, they continue to prosper and multiply, even after therapy.

5. Failure to follow-up on treatment

Survivors of cancer are required to maintain follow-up appointments after treatment. This is to ensure the cancer is in remission and no trace of it exists in the patient’s body.

However, when these appointments and check-ups aren’t followed through, cancer can recur. In some cases, follow-up appointments aren’t taken seriously as the patient feels that they have already fought and won the battle against cancer.

6. Poor lifestyle and unhealthy choices

A cancer patient who participates in various lifestyles that are detrimental to their health can increase their chances of cancer’s recurrence. Such lifestyles consist of smoking habits, alcoholism, unhealthy eating, and diabetics.

Those who follow unhealthy habits have an increased likelihood of cancer recurrence, as reported by many studies.

7. Different diseases and treatments that affect the immune system

Our immune system ability happens to be our body’s natural way of fighting against diseases and infections. However, cancer can cause our immune system to break down, giving way for cancer to thrive and spread.

Even after cancer treatment, preventative measures must be made to ensure the immune system is functioning correctly to reduce the chances of cancer recurrence. Illnesses such as HIV and immunodeficiency disorders can significantly affect our immune system leading to cancer recurrence.

8. Genetic predisposition

It’s possible to tolerate cancer due to genetics. If cancer is prevalent in your family, your probability of being diagnosed with cancer increases.

The predisposition to the disease can upsurge cancer’s recurrence despite successful treatment.

9. Environmental factors

Exposure to environmental factors such as chemicals, radiation, and pollution can lead to the evolution and growth of cancerous cells.

If you’re exposed to these factors frequently, this can intensify the chances of cancer’s recurrence, even after successful treatment.

10. Psychological factors

The mental health of cancer patients can also influence their cancer’s recurrence. Patients who frequently hide their emotions and struggle with anxiety, depression, and stress have a higher risk of cancer’s recurrence.