Chemotherapy
Take care of yourself
How can you take care of yourself during chemotherapy? You can eat the right
foods to build up your strength. Stay away from people who have colds or the
flu. Get the rest you need and pace yourself. Talk about your feelings to deal
with any sadness, anger, or fear you may have. Work as a team with your health
care providers. Knowing how to help yourself can make you feel more in control.
These are just a few of the ways that you can help yourself and begin to feel in
control again.
This information is designed to help you become an informed partner in your
care, but it is only a guide. Self-help can never take the place of professional
health care. Ask your doctor and nurse any questions you may have about
chemotherapy. Also don't hesitate to tell them about any side effects you may
have. They want and need to know.
Understanding chemotherapy
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs that can destroy cancer
cells. These drugs often are called "anticancer" drugs.
How Does Chemotherapy Work?
Normal cells grow and die in a controlled way. When cancer occurs, cells in
the body that are not normal keep dividing and forming more cells without
control. Anticancer drugs destroy cancer cells by stopping them from growing or
multiplying. Healthy cells can also be harmed, especially those that divide
quickly. Harm to healthy cells is what causes side effects. These cells usually
repair themselves after chemotherapy.
Because some drugs work better together than alone, two or more drugs are
often given at the same time. This is called combination chemotherapy.
Other types of drugs may be used to treat your cancer. These may include
certain drugs that can block the effect of your body's hormones. Or doctors may
use biological therapy, which is treatment with substances that boost the body's
own immune system against cancer. Your body usually makes these substances in
small amounts to fight cancer and other diseases. These substances can be made
in the laboratory and given to patients to destroy cancer cells or change the
way the body reacts to a tumor. They may also help the body repair or make new
cells destroyed by chemotherapy.
Next: What can chemotherapy do? »
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