Cancer immunotherapy marks a turning point in cancer tumour treatment.

This was according to the Ballito Cancer Support Network’s Jaime Ernst, speaking at Hirsch Ballito’s networking breakfast yesterday, World Cancer Day.

Quoting a recent article in the Washington based Journal of Science, Ernst said immunotherapy harnesses the body’s own immune defences to eliminate tumours.

She said the method was radically different from all known cancer treatments and this year has already seen encouraging results from some of the first clinical trials of drug treatments based on this revolutionary approach.

“Oncologists have noted that a corner has been turned and they won’t be going back.”

Ernst also highlighted the importance of early detection, and prevention.

“Staying out of the sun to avoid the possibility of skin cancer and developing melanoma’s,  eating correctly, regular exercise and  having regular health checks – all very important in the prevention of this dreaded disease,” said Jaime.