Decatur, TX – Successfully battling cancer and coming out the other side with a clean bill of health is reason to celebrate. For many Americans, however, the party isn’t lasting as long as desired. The incident rate of second cancers is on the rise in the country, prompting doctors to warn their patients that the need for follow-up monitoring is especially high.

“Second cancers are those that involve different types of cancer than what a person was originally diagnosed with and treated for,” explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the North Texas Cancer Center at Wise. “They are not merely a recurrence of the original or a failure to completely eliminate cells during a first round of treatments. Second cancers can be especially devastating for patients who have already faced the ups and downs that go along with treatment in the past.”

While second cancers may often be battled as successfully as the first, the road to recovery can be rockier for patients the second time around. Not only are their psychological impacts of facing treatments once more, sometimes treatments are not as effective during the second go-around, making early detection especially critical.

Researchers now say the rate of second cancers in the United States is up to about 1 out of every 5 new cases diagnosed. This alarming number has some doctors calling for greater genetic testing of current patients and perhaps their family members to gain a better understanding of future risks. The rate of diagnosis of second cancers has climbed from about 9 percent in the 1970s to today’s 19 percent.

“The bottom line is that even if an all-clear is given, former cancer patients should be carefully monitored for the risk of developing a new form of the disease,” says Dr. Echt. “Prevention and early detection methods are especially important.”

About North Texas Cancer Center at Wise

North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas. The center unites some of the best cancer doctors and surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. Our expert team delivers superior cancer treatment in Texas, with the best results available.