What are the things you should know before starting chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a medicinal therapy that uses strong chemicals to kill your cancer cells. This treatment is used to treat many types of cancer. It targets the cancer cells that grow and multiply more quickly than other cells in the body. Many types of chemotherapy drugs are available on the market and are used either in combination or alone to treat different types of cancer. Although this is the most effective way to treat cancer, it also has side effects. That is why some people are worried before starting chemotherapy treatment. The side effects of chemotherapy are mild and treatable. Chemotherapy is basically used to cure cancer without using other types of treatments, to kill hidden cancer cells, to shrink a tumor, and also to relieve the symptoms of cancer. In this blog, you will read about the things that you should know before starting chemotherapy treatment.

Things to know before starting chemotherapy:

1. It is normal to feel uneasy after chemo.

When you wake up for your first chemo session, you may be scared because you don't know what lies ahead. Each cancer patient responds differently to chemotherapy. The side effects of chemotherapy are different for different patients. Some people report having itchy skin rashes, nausea, a bad metallic taste in their mouth, and exhaustion. So, it’s normal to feel uneasy after the chemotherapy treatment. Because chemotherapy drugs are so powerful, they attack cancer cells, but they also attack other growing cells in the body, such as your hair roots, resulting in hair loss all over your body, not just on your scalp.

Read More Blog: Targeted Therapy For Treating Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

1. Don’t stick to any one test result.

With the passage of time, both cancer cases and the recommended course of therapy change, so you should not stick to any test results. After the first biopsy, you will receive an initial diagnosis, but with the passing of time, your doctor may learn more about your cancer, so it is possible that the prognosis and treatment may also change.

1. Everyone's cancer-fighting journey is unique.

Always remember that everyone's journey to fight cancer is different. It is not necessary for one patient to experience nausea after chemo and the other patient to experience the same side effect. Everybody’s experiences with chemotherapy treatment are different. And also keep in mind that not every piece of information about chemotherapy will be applicable to you. You should always verify the details with your healthcare professional to make sure they apply to your condition or not.

1. Know about the chemotherapy treatment schedule:

When you require chemotherapy treatment, your health care providers will inform you. Normally, chemotherapy treatments are given to patients in repeating cycles. The drugs you receive for your treatment will determine how long a cycle will last. Most cycles last between two and six weeks. Like on the first day, each cycle contains only one dose. Or, a cycle might have more than one dose that is given every week or every day. Normally, your doctor will check in with you after two cycles to ensure that the treatment is working properly. Most of the patients receive several chemotherapy cycles.

Read More Blog: How Does Immunotherapy Help In The Fight Against Cancer?

1. The chemotherapy effects get worse after every cycle:

Before treatment, doctors will inform you that you will face more difficulty after every session. After each session of chemotherapy, you will feel weaker. This is so because the medicines that are used in chemotherapy enter your body and prevent the spread of cancer cells.

1. Food and medicine can affect chemotherapy.

Your doctor will let you know what to eat and drink during chemotherapy days so that your treatment works better. Always tell your doctor about any medications you're taking before starting chemotherapy. This will protect you from unwanted side effects. If the medicines are not good for your chemotherapy treatment, then your doctor will ask you to avoid them.

Chemotherapy treatment is the hardest process. But despite all the challenges, it is very necessary that you maintain your hope of living a cancer-free life. A proper understanding of the chemotherapy treatment will help you maintain a positive attitude. Oncoplus Hospital gives you the best cancer treatment in Delhi.