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Treating Cancer With Chemotherapy

Many people fear chemotherapy because they have heard that it can have uncomfortable side effects. But side-effect management has come a long way over the last few decades. Today, many side effects once associated with chemotherapy can be prevented or controlled. With some types of chemotherapy, you may experience only minimal side effects. And chemotherapy may be your best option for a successful outcome. You can help achieve a successful outcome by understanding how side effects can impact your treatment.

Chemotherapy is the general term for any treatment involving the use of chemical agents to stop cancer cells from growing. Chemotherapy can eliminate cancer cells at sites great distances from the original cancer. As a result, chemotherapy is considered a systemic treatment.
More that half of all people diagnosed with cancer receive chemotherapy. For millions of people, chemotherapy helps treat their cancer effectively, enabling them to enjoy full, productive lives. A chemotherapy regimen a treatment plan and schedule, usually includes drugs to fight cancer plus drugs to help support completion of the cancer treatment at the full dose on schedule. Most doctors agree that staying on your chemotherapy schedule gives you the best opportunity for a successful result.

How Chemotherapy Works

Chemotherapy is designed to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered through a vein, injected into a body cavity, or delivered orally in the form of a pill, depending on which drug is used. Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells: unfortunately, it cannot tell the difference between a cancer cell and some healthy cells. So chemotherapy eliminates not only the fast-growing cancer cells but also other fast-growing cells in your body, including hair and blood cells. Some cancer cells grow slowly while others grow rapidly. As a result, different types of chemotherapy drugs target the growth patterns of specific types of cancer cells. Each drug has a different way of working and is effective at a specific time in the life cycle of the cell it targets. Your doctor will determine the chemotherapy drug that is right for you.

Importance of Full Dose on Schedule

Studies show that for certain types of cancer, chemotherapy produces the best long-term results when patients receive the full dose on time, every time. Your doctor will develop a treatment plan specifically for you, based on your type of cancer, its stage of advancement, and your overall health. The goal is to make your chemotherapy as effective, timely, and problemfree as possible. But while your chemotherapy treatment works to fight your cancer, it also can cause side effects such as a lowered while blood cell count. It can also require your doctor to change your dose or schedule of your chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy Side Effects

An undesirable consequence of chemotherapy affecting your bodynot related to your cancer is referred to as a complication of treatment, or a side effect. Some common side effects of chemotherapy are: Low white blood cell count (neutropenia) Low red blood cell count (anemia) Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) Nausea Vomiting Hair Loss Fatigue

Some side effects may be temporary and uncomfortable. Some can cause dose reductions and treatment delays or even be life-threatening. For example, one of the most serious potential side effects of chemotherapy is a low count of infection fighting white blood cellsa condition called neutropenia. Neutropenia can interrupt your chemotherapy schedule and put you at risk for infections that may require hospitalization and may even be life threatening. Fortunately, significant progress has been made in the development of proactive therapies that help you manage the side effects of chemotherapyideally, before they interrupt your treatment schedule.

What to do Prior to Your First Treatment

1. Purchase a thermometer. Take your temperature every day and write it down on your
calendar.

2. Purchase an over-the-counter (OTC) iron supplement. Take iron everyday at least 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

twice a day on an empty stomach. It may cause constipation or diarrhea. Ferrous Sulfate 235 mg p.o. twice a day. Pick up your prescriptions that were given to you and familiarize yourself with their instructions. Some prescriptions must be picked up prior to each cycle (Emend) Buy some Boost, Sustacal, etc. Nothing is more important than eating healthy, high protein foods and a well balanced diet. Make sure that everything you put in your mouth counts! Dont eat junk food now! Maintain your fluid intake. Most patients get nauseated because they are behind on fluids. Drink at least 64 ounces of fluid a day. Fill a pitcher of something that you like and make sure you finish the pitcher that day and every day. Have healthy snacks available for your post-chemo days. Make sure your Labwork has been drawn prior to your first treatment. You will be given an order for Labwork prior to each cycle of chemotherapy. Purchase a wig, hat, or scarf if your treatment causes hair loss. Go to the dentist, especially if you know you need dental work. Patients are not able to have dental work during treatment due to the risk of infection. Arrange for transportation from the physician office ahead of time. It is important to get to all of your appointments so as not to delay your treatment. Consider preparing meals ahead of time and freeze them. Plan easy meals so that you dont have to expend a lot of energy on meal preparation.

What to do to Prevent Infection

Take these simple but effective steps to help protect against infection triggered by a low number of white blood cells: Always wash your hands with soap and plenty of water. Many infections are transmitted through hands and things that you touch, such as doorknobs. Avoid people with colds or the flu Avoid large crowds to reduce the likelihood of coming into contact with sick people Bathe daily and carefully dry your skin Take steps to prevent cuts or scrapes, as these provide entry points for infection: use an electric razor, use caution with sharp objects, wear gloves if possible. Prevent cracks in your skin by using lotion. Cook your food thoroughly to kill any potential microorganisms that may be on raw food. Now is not the time to get food poisoning!

When to Call Your Health Care Professional (304) 925-9600

Development of any of the following symptoms during your therapy may indicate a serious condition. If you experience any of the following, call your health care professional immediately. Fever higher that 100.5F (Please make sure you have a thermometer at home!) Fever is a sign of infection and sometimes the only sign! Shaking chills, sweating Vomiting that continues 48 hours after treatment Bleeding or bruising Shortness of breath/chest pain (call 911) Severe constipation or diarrhea Painful or frequent urination Blood in the urine or stool Extreme fatigue Inability to eat and continued weight loss Mouth sores Nasal congestion, drainage or cough Numbness or tingling in hands or feet Dehydration evidenced by dry, cracked lips, excessive thirst, decreased urination, increased weakness, dizziness (especially when your stand up) ____________Patient Initials