Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight cancer. It kills cancer cells in the whole body by interfering with cell growth and division, but not all chemotherapy is alike and not all breast cancer patients are alike. Because you are unique as a breast cancer patient, your chemotherapy regimen will be tailored to your particular needs.
Your doctor will discuss his/her recommendation for the type of chemotherapy that is right for you. There are a variety of chemotherapy treatments, so it's always good to know why the recommended one is right for you.
There are two ways that doctors use chemotherapy to treat cancer:
- Adjuvant – Used in conjunction with, or in addition to, surgery and/or radiation.
- Neo-adjuvant – Given before surgery to shrink the tumor so that surgery will be less extensive.
Chemotherapy is given in one of the following ways:
- Intravenously (I.V.) – an injection in a vein
- By Central Access Device (also called a vascular device or central line) – a port is placed in the body where the drug will be injected to avoid damaging healthy tissue with toxic chemotherapy drugs
- Orally (P.O.) – medication taken by swallowing a pill
How often you take chemotherapy depends on the type of breast cancer you have and the type of chemotherapy you're taking. How long you take chemo depends on how your body reacts and the length of time that research has shown to produce the most effective results.
What is right for me?
You and your health care team will work together to determine the chemotherapy treatment that is right for you. Below are some questions to consider asking your doctor. They can help you to learn more about your treatment options.
- Why do you recommend this treatment or procedure? How might it help me?
- What are the side effects? Which ones require immediate medical attention?
- How long does it take? How often do I receive it? How is it given?
- Are there more or less aggressive options available?
- How will each of these options affect my quality of life? Will I be able to do the things I enjoy? Can I work? Take care of my kids? Go on vacation?
- What lifestyle changes would you recommend I consider during my treatment?
- How and when will the effectiveness of this treatment be evaluated?
- What else do I need to know about this treatment?
Side Effects
Various breast cancer chemotherapy drugs cause different side effects. Side effects are common because the treatment affects rapidly dividing cells, both abnormal and normal. The normal cells that are most commonly affected are those of the bone marrow, digestive tract and reproductive system as well as hair follicles.
Be sure to tell your health care team about any health issues or side effects you experience so that they can be addressed. Your doctor can prescribe medications and/or lifestyle adjustments that can effectively manage or prevent many side effects.
Would you like to talk with someone who has had chemotherapy? Call the YourShoes 24/7 Breast Cancer Support Center at 1-800-221-2141 and speak with a trained peer counselor who is a breast cancer survivor.