Chemotherapy or chemo is the most commonly adopted procedure to treat cancer. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, which causes a person to be severely ill.
The later cancer is detected, the more the chances are for it to prove fatal.
Chemotherapy is a drug therapy that works by killing these cancer cells to either cure the person or to control further growth. Unlike radiation therapy or surgery, which target specific areas, chemotherapy procedure works on the entire body.
However, in the process of killing the cancer cells, chemotherapy often also affects the healthy cells resulting in some undesired side-effects of this treatment.
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Depending on the type and stage of cancer, chemotherapy is used to:
Chemotherapy uses drugs in a decided dose and administered to the affected person in a suitable method. The drugs used in chemo treatment are potent and thus need to be used carefully. The treatment may be given in various ways:
Oral and topical treatments are easily performed at home, while others are usually performed in a hospital or a cancer treatment centre.
For greater effectiveness of the cancer treatment, chemotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments like:
Chemotherapy is a cyclic treatment which is performed in intervals so that normal cells in the body have time to recover from its side-effects. Sometimes doses may be given one day or a certain number of days in a row, followed by the rest period, then after a week or every other day.
Depending on the drug and the treatment response on the individual, its respective cycle is decided.
Before proceeding with the chemotherapy procedure, your healthcare specialist carefully plans the drug(s), their dose, and the treatment schedule. The preparation process takes into consideration the type of cancer, its stage, and what will suit you best.
Your doctor may require you to get some blood tests done to be sure of your underlying health as it can affect the effectiveness and duration of the treatment. If there’s a problem, your doctor decides your treatment accordingly.
Doctors also discuss the first chemo treatment side-effects so that you’re informed and can prepare yourself. For instance, the chemotherapy process often brings infertility as a side-effect, so your doctor might suggest you preserve your sperm or eggs for use in the future.
The effects after the first chemo treatment greatly vary from person to person. How the body will respond to the treatment will depend on various factors:
Since every person responds to the treatment differently, your oncologist can seldom tell you exactly how you will feel during the chemotherapy procedure.
Usually, it’s perfectly alright to continue working during chemotherapy as long as you can match the treatment schedule along with your health.
Several companies have laws in place for such employees. Depending on the job you do, you can ask for a part-time or a work from home option from your employer on the days you feel a little sick. You can learn about these laws online or a reliable source.
Although a very useful treatment for cancer, chemotherapy isn’t free of probable adverse effects. The healthy cells that are often targeted by chemotherapy drugs along with the cancer cells, sometimes begin to show abnormalities in some individuals. However, in some cases, most side-effects are known to go away once the complete treatment is over.
The common side-effects of aggressive chemotherapy are:
Some people may also experience other side-effects like anxiety and mental health problems. It’s important to talk to your doctor from time to time whenever you show any sign as most of them are treatable concerns.
Cancer is a life-threatening condition which not only affects you physically but can also exhaust your emotional capabilities. It’s very natural to be insecure, to have a lot of questions in mind, and to feel sad and depressed. But instead of letting this pull you down, you must consult a reliable healthcare provider who will guide you correctly through this difficult phase of life.
You can also consider talking to a certified counsellor who can help you stay positive and hopeful in all situations. A mindful conversation with your family and loved ones who will stay by your side come what may is a sure way to lift your spirits and get you going.