Cancer Treatment

CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIATION

Chemotherapy kills cancer cells. It can be administered through the vein, injected or given as a pill. Chemotherapy cannot distinguish between cancer cells and healthy cells. Chemotherapy attacks rapidly-growing cancer cells and other rapidly-growing cells such as hair and blood cells.

Take an active role in managing your chemotherapy cancer treatment. Patients should ask questions of doctors, nurses and all medical personnel. A medical oncologist will oversee your chemotherapy treatment

Chemotherapy Treatment Tips Breast Cancer Advocate iPhone App

Obtain a copy of your medical record with your treatment protocol from your MD.
A second opinion is always advisable. See Bloch Cancer Foundation Multidisciplinary Second Opinion Medical Centers, or call: 1-800-433-0464.
If you get a second opinion at a medical center far from your home, the medical center physicians can prescribe a chemotherapy regimen to be administered at your local facility. You may wish to have the first round of chemo at the medical center so the prescribing medical oncologists can gauge reactions and side effects.
Some chemotherapy drugs cause throat and mouth sores. If possible, see your dentist prior to treatment, to get your teeth cleaned and attend to dental problems.
Ask your doctor if you should eat before treatment.
Organize all treatment related prescriptions before you begin chemotherapy.
Purchase a thermometer to monitor fever post treatment.
Bring a list of all your medications to every appointment including vitamins, herbal supplements and alternative therapies
Enter Current Medications on the Breast Cancer Advocate iPhone App
Ensure medical personnel check your ID bracelet twice before receiving treatment. Verify you are receiving the proper medication.
Ask to speak to an MD if you are unsure of anything.
Ask for another treatment team if you don’t feel comfortable with the team assigned.
Schedule your treatments early in the day as treatments can back up.
Track lab results under Chemo Cycle Details on Breast Cancer Advocate iPhone App
Some centers have private treatment rooms which may be available upon request.
Bring entertainment such as a computer, books, knitting, etc., to occupy you during treatment.
Discuss anti-anxiety drugs which may make treatment easier.
Ask to see a nutritionist who specializes in managing chemotherapy side-effects.
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Radiation cancer treatment uses energy to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation can be administered internally or externally. External radiation is the most common and is done as an outpatient in a hospital. Internal radiation is a small tube implanted close to the tumor sight for about one week.You will not become radioactive from radiation therapy. A radiation oncologist oversees radiation therapy.

Radiation Treatment Tips Breast Cancer Advocate iPhone App

Follow suggestions for chemotherapy above.
A second opinion for radiation therapy is advisable. However, it is not recommended that radiation therapy be prescribed at one facility and administered at another.
Always ask when the radiotherapy and x ray machines were last calibrated and serviced. Confirm the medical equipment has been maintained according to state and federal laws. Ask to see the records.
IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED, FIND ANOTHER FACILITY.
The radiation oncologist may tell you to avoid certain vitamins and supplements which might interfere with radiation’s ability to destroy cancer cells.
Radiation simulations are external radiation planning sessions which are necessary before your radiation therapy to ensure precise radiation to the affected area with minimal impact to other body parts.
Simulation may take about an hour. It includes fitting your body to an immobilization device which stabilizes your body so you are in the same position for each treatment.
Small marks will be made on your body to help the radiation technician line up the treatment fields. Insist the marks be tattooed on your skin rather than made with ink which could wash off.
Record tattoo placement on Breast Cancer Advocate iPhone App.
Internal radiation is given in the operating room. Radioactive seeds are placed in the tissue next to the cancer.