Putting Cancer in Perspective
A diagnosis of cancer is not a death sentence. "A cancer" is not "THE CANCER". There are numerous forms of cancer (also called neoplasia, anaplastic activity, malignancy). Some are limited in their ability to cause damage. Many of these are relatively simple to treat.
Nobody "KNOWS" what is best for the individual cancer patient.  Statistics deal with populations of cancer patients, not individuals. If statistics say patients with a particular form of malignancy have a "one in three chance of survival" what does that mean for an individual? If patient "A" is one of the 33% to survive, his chances of survival actually are 100%. If patient "B" is included with the typical patients that do not survive, there is little comfort in knowing he was part of the majority. No two individuals, human or otherwise, are totally identical. Collect all the information you can to help make the most beneficial choices for the patient and yourself. No Doctor, and certainly no hairdresser, neighbor, or friend at work, knows for certain what will happen, regardless of what choices you make.
Science tells us that everybody makes numerous cancer cells every day of their life. But the immune system of most people/pets kill off those abnormal cells before they get a chance to multiply. There are numerous theories why cancer develops in some individuals and not others. Except in the laboratory, no one gives someone cancer. If you think it was the "wrong" food, shampoo, vaccine, birth date or whatever, remember there are probably thousands of other individuals that had the same experience without developing cancer. Guilt trips do not help heal cancer.
Oncologists (cancer specialists) owe you a clear picture of where you/your pet are, what treatment involves, the risk/rewards of treatment options, and what they hope to accomplish with treatment. Many cancer patients are treated without any intent to actually eradicate the malignancy. Ask to have any unclear concepts or terms explained. A "good response" to the specialist might mean the patient lived an extra two weeks or that only one kidney was destroyed by the treatment.
Remember you have the right to make choices concerning treatment options before, during, and after the treatment. Resist the temptation to argue with the oncologist. Reading an article in "Family Circle" or "Omni" magazine does not make a person an expert in anything. Board certified oncologists spend their lives trying to stem an ever increasing flood of malignancies. But they're only human! They are likely to have their own focus when discussing treatment protocols. If you dislike their perspective, they are not "wrong" you are not "right". Get as many treatment options as you can from Doctors that have actually used those options. Your choices should be based on what seems best for this individual patient. You must believe with every fiber of your body the choices you make are the best for you and your pet.
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