Chemotherapy and You
How does Chemotherapy work?
And how to minimize the
side effects of Chemotherapy.
When you're seeking information about Chemotherapy and You, there's nothing like talking with someone who's 'been there, done that.'
So, I asked some breast cancer survivors who went through chemotherapy as part of their treatments.
In addition, I researched Chemotherapy from various sources, including some excellent information from the Breast Cancer Foundation of Western Australia. I trust that you will find the following information helpful and reassuring that there is indeed "light at the end of the tunnel".
Chemotherapy - an unpleasant prospect?
The mere mention of ‘Chemotherapy’ is one that cancer patients commonly dread - especially as Chemotherapy is often associated with nausea, hair loss, fatigue and other unpleasant side effects. Hair loss is such a major concern that I have devoted an entire section to this topic.
Click here for information on Chemotherapy and Hair Loss.
How does Chemotherapy work?
Chemotherapy uses special drugs to treat cancer, given by mouth or intravenously (putting a needle into a vein and then slowly injecting the medication). Chemo enters your bloodstream and because cancer cells are the cells that are dividing rapidly, they take up most of the drug. Of course, chemo affects normal cells too, but healthy normal cells have tremendous capacity to recover. The healthier the cells, the faster the recovery! This is why it makes such sense to get on the aggressive nutritional supplement program that is recommended for Breast Cancer patients. Contrary to popular ideas, chemo is not always highly toxic, and some quite gentle forms are now being used. If after several days you notice some tenderness and redness develop over the injection site, or if blisters appear, notify your clinic sister immediately.
Does it hurt? What are the side effects of Chemotherapy?
Most anti-cancer drugs cause no discomfort, but sometimes intravenous administration can cause a burning sensation in the veins. If this happens, simply tell the nurse and it will be stopped at once, and the site of the injection may be changed. If after several days you notice some tenderness and redness develop over the injection site, or if blisters appear, notify your clinic sister immediately.
How long is the Chemotherapy treatment?
Jennifer, one friend
whose story you'll find here
had two lots of 4 weeks of chemotherapy (attending the clinic once a week). Some forms of Chemotherapy are given for a few days or a few weeks. Some may be for months and longer. It depends on the type of cancer you have and the way it responds to treatment, and how you tolerate the treatment itself. The healthier you are, the shorter your treatment time is likely to be.
Where do you go for Chemotherapy treatments?
Most likely your Chemotherapy will be given to you as an outpatient in a hospital clinic or in a doctor’s office. Jennifer went to the hospital clinic as an outpatient for her chemo treatments. You may be admitted to hospital for a short time if you have side effects. Sometimes a short period in hospital may be necessary in order to monitor you and help you deal with any unpleasant side-effects.
How will you know the Chemotherapy is working?
Well, just remember that side effects are no indication. Many patients don't have side effects, but that doesn't mean the chemo isn't working. By the same token, if you DO have side effects that doesn't mean the cancer is spreading. Any sick, tired feeling is only temporary and very soon after your chemo is finished, you will feel so much better. Stay positive, watch funny movies and life-affirming DVDs such as ‘The Secret’. It helps enormously to keep eating healthy and supplementing with high-quality nutritionals. There's a lot about this on my
page on Antioxidants
Chemotherapy monitoring: Another blood test? Why so many?
Doctors need to keep monitoring the effects of your chemotherapy treatment by checking your “blood counts” on regular basis. One of the side effects of chemotherapy is the risk of blood counts becoming abnormally low. This is temporary, but may require treatment to be postponed until blood counts have recovered. It is important to inform your doctor if you are bruising easily or have red spots under the skin, or any unusual bleeding anywhere. These are the three things being checked in the blood tests: 1. White blood cells
These fight infection. If this blood count gets low, you may be prescribed something to help prevent infection. 2. Red blood cells
These prevent anaemia and allow the blood to bring oxygen to all the tissues. Signs of anaemia are tiredness, feeling light headed, and shortness of breath. 3. Platelets
If this count is low, there are not enough platelets in your blood and you may bleed or bruise more easily, even if the injury is small. Platelets help to clot blood and promote healing. Be extra careful when using knives or tools, or when you are physically active at home, at work or playing sport.
Wear gloves when gardening.
Avoid using aspirin when your platelet count is low as it affects normal clotting and may cause you to bleed more easily.
Did you know that unpleasant side-effects can be minimised or avoided altogether?
It is quite tragic that the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer are unaware of how the the right dosages of specific nutritional supplements can benefit them during and after Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy. How unfortunate that with all the medical research available today, showing the association between nutritional supplements and a reduced risk of breast cancer, that physicians are not making a concerted effort to educate themselves and their patients about the safety and efficacy of taking good quality antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Allow me to ask a cynical question here. Is it because there is little profit to be made if people keep healthy?
Fortunately my own oncologist was supportive when I said that I wanted to take the recommended supplements for breast cancer patients as long as I complied with his prescribed medical treatments. The body is a marvellous bio-machine that can work wonders in healing itself - IF given optimal levels of the right nutrients.
Eating well is crucial, but food alone is far from adequate in providing the high doses of broad-spectrum vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that the body requires every day, particularly during chemo and radiation when the immune system is compromised.
More than ever, high doses of high quality nutritional supplements are essential for faster healing and maintaining good health.
Chemotherapy and Nutrition.
Don’t feel like eating much?
Sometimes Chemotherapy can cause problems with diet. People who have always had hearty appetites may find they just don't feel like eating.
More than ever, this is a time where you should not miss out on high-quality nutrition. A handy Good Food Guide is included in the
Breast Cancer Wellness Diet
Why not make yourself a Protein Shake or delicious fruit Smoothie? Choose a good quality meal replacement drink with the right balance of good carbohydrates, proteins and essential fats. Add some soy protein powder, a banana or frozen berries. Delicious! And so nutritious! I found some great-tasting meal-replacements in delicious flavours of Wild Strawberry, French Vanilla and Dutch Chocolate.
Just ask me
if you want to know where to order them. Here are some other great tips:
• Try eating small meals frequently throughout the day to keep your stomach from feeling too full.
• A worthwhile tip is NOT to eat your favourite foods if you suffer from side effects of chemo, otherwise you may start associating these foods with nausea after your treatments have finished.
• Avoid drinking liquids at mealtimes to prevent filling up your stomach. Instead drink fluids an hour before or after eating.
• Avoid sweets, fried and fatty foods.
• Eat dry foods such as crackers or toast. They help ease an upset stomach, especially in the morning.
• Drink cool, clear unsweetened beverages such as apple juice, or water with a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Eat a light meal, such as soup and crackers, before receiving your treatment.
• If the smell of food makes you nauseous, stay out of the kitchen if possible, while your food is bring prepared.
• Don’t lie down flat for at least two hours after eating.Sit and relax instead. Activity can slow down digestion and increase your discomfort.
• Fizzy drinks can help with feeling sick - they help to bring up trapped wind
• Ginger is a good natural anti-sickness remedy - try sipping ginger ale or chewing crystallised stem ginger, if you like the taste of it.
• Wearing 'Seabands' on your wrists or having acupuncture can help some people.
• There are no rules about what you should and shouldn't have - just do what works for you.
• Don't worry about not eating for a couple of days around the time of your treatment - you can make up for missed meals another time.
Sore mouth or throat with Chemotherapy?
Some Chemotherapy drugs may cause these discomforts. Here are some useful tips:
• Eat moist foods, or use butter, olive oil or broth to moisten foods.
• Icecream, yoghurt, grapes, jellies and soft fruits are sweet treats and easy to swallow.
• Drink lots of fluids, and try drinking with a straw.
• Rinse your mouth with salt water using about half a teaspoon in a glass of warm water. Or make up a mouth wash by mixing a teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of warm water.
• Avoid commercial mouthwashes unless advised by your doctor. Many of these have alcohol in them and can sting.
• Avoid highly acid foods and juices such as citrus.
• Avoid heavily seasoned foods and spices.
• Tobacco can irritate the lining of your mouth, so if you are a smoker, this is yet another great reason to quit smoking!
• Be gentle with your toothbrush. Switch to a child’s soft toothbrush and take care not to damage the soft tissue of the mouth.
• Use lip balm or lanolin to keep your lips moist.
Chemotherapy and your survival.
Chemotherapy has increased the survival of many cancer patients and can cure some cancers. Although it’s not pleasant to endure at the time, very soon after Chemotherapy is finished, you will start feeling better. A lot better! Just be reassured that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
If you have read
my story
already you will know that I had an excellent outcome, without any fatigue or loss of energy. And, if my experiences and knowledge of
high-dose supplementation
can help you survive Chemotherapy better with more energy and less side-effects, that would be excellent news! The specific nutritional supplement program that I followed was compiled by Dr Ray Strand, a GP who specializes in Nutritional Medicine. He has written two special Reports on Breast Cancer, including one all about the use of high-potency antioxidants in conjunction with cancer therapies.
It’s worthwhile having this information on hand to discuss with your oncologist.
To get a copy of these FREE REPORTS emailed to you, just use the Request Form here.
Click to go to Radiation Therapy from Chemotherapy and You.
Click to go to Chemotherapy Hair Loss
Click to go to Breast Cancer Antioxidants
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