When we hear the word "chemo," many of us feel fear and uncertainty. Hair loss, body discomfort, and vomiting come to mind. But what exactly is chemotherapy? How does it fight cancer? Today, we'll answer all your questions about it, in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
Simply put, what is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses a powerful class of drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. We call it "chemo" for short. This is just one type of treatment for cancer. There are other types of treatment that use drugs.
- Hormone therapy: These drugs block the hormones that some types of cancer need to grow.
- Immunotherapy: This uses drugs that help your body's own immune system fight cancer.
- Targeted therapy: These drugs directly target the way cancer cells divide and behave.
These treatments are supervised by a medical oncologist. Sometimes chemotherapy is given in combination with surgery or radiation therapy.
What actually happens with chemotherapy?
Think of cancer cells as weeds that grow out of control and spread very quickly in our garden. Chemotherapy is like a powerful medicine that destroys these weeds and stops them from growing again. In other words, the main function of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells that divide rapidly and without control.
Your doctor may use chemotherapy for various purposes.
| The purpose of the treatment method | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Adjuvant therapy | A treatment given after surgery or radiation therapy to destroy any tiny, invisible cancer cells that may remain in the body and prevent the disease from coming back. |
| Curative therapy | Treatment with the aim of completely curing cancer. |
| Neoadjuvant therapy | A treatment given before surgery to shrink a cancerous tumor and make the surgery easier. |
| Palliative therapy | In cases where cancer cannot be completely cured, treatment is given to make the patient's life easier by shrinking the tumor and reducing symptoms (e.g., pain). |
How do we prepare before chemo treatment?
Before you start chemo, your doctor will run tests to make sure your body is ready for it. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself mentally and physically for this journey.
Be well informed about the treatment.
Ask your doctor about the chemotherapy drugs you will receive, their benefits, and possible side effects. Being informed will reduce your fear.
Be prepared for side effects in advance.
For example, if your doctor says that hair loss may be a side effect, you can consider getting a wig, a nice scarf, or a head covering if you like. If your skin is sensitive, you can prepare gentle skin care products in advance.
See a dentist.
Chemotherapy can cause mouth sores, so it's important to check for dental problems and gum infections and treat them before starting treatment.
Plan your work and home life
You will need rest during treatment. Plan ahead for things like how you will manage your work schedule and whether you will have someone to help with household chores.
Make a plan for the day of treatment.
Know how long the treatment will take, and prepare something to do during that time, such as reading a book or listening to music. Some people eat a small meal about an hour before the treatment, which can reduce things like nausea.
How is the treatment given?
Chemotherapy is given mainly in two ways.
1. Systemic Chemotherapy: In this, the drug enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body to find and destroy cancer cells. This is the most commonly used method.
- Intravenously (IV): Given into a vein through a cannula, like saline.
- Orally: As a pill or liquid that can be taken at home.
- As a cream applied to the skin (Topically): For skin cancer.
- As an injection: Under the skin or into a piece of meat.
2. Targeted to a specific location (Localized Chemotherapy): Sometimes, it is necessary to deliver the drug only to the site of the cancer.
- Intra-arterial chemotherapy: The drug is injected into the artery that supplies blood to the cancer tumor.
- Intrathecal chemotherapy: The drug is administered into the fluid between the brain and spinal cord.
Most importantly, your doctor will determine the treatment that is best for you, based on the type of cancer you have, how far it has spread, and your overall health.
Why do chemo have side effects?
This is very important to understand. It is difficult to distinguish between the rapidly dividing cancer cells that are targeted by chemo drugs and the normally rapidly dividing healthy cells in our bodies. The cells that form our hair follicles, blood cells, and the cells that line the walls of our digestive tract are also rapidly dividing healthy cells. That is why when we are given chemo, these too are affected and cause side effects.
Some of the most common side effects are:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anorexia
- Mouth sores
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Paleness and fatigue due to anemia
- Being easily susceptible to infections (due to low immunity)
But remember, not everyone will experience all of these side effects. Also, there are now many good medications and treatments to manage many of these side effects. So don't be afraid to talk to your doctor or nurse about any discomfort you may be experiencing.
Some side effects (late effects) may occur long after treatment has finished. For example, memory and thinking problems (chemo brain), nerve damage (neuropathy), or effects on the ability to have children (infertility). It is important to discuss these with your doctor as well.
Is chemo treatment painful?
This is a question that many people ask. Usually, the treatment is not painful. If you are given an IV, you will feel a slight stinging sensation when the needle is inserted. Some people may feel a slight burning sensation when the medicine is injected into the body, but this usually goes away after a while.
Take-Home Message
- Chemotherapy is a powerful and advanced treatment for cancer. Don't be unnecessarily afraid of it.
- Chemotherapy destroys rapidly dividing cancer cells.
- Side effects can occur, but most are temporary. And there are very good ways and medications to manage them. Talk to your doctor about anything you're feeling.
- Preparing well before treatment will help make this journey easier.
- Chemotherapy can completely cure some cancers, and in other cases, it can control symptoms and provide a better quality of life. Don't give up hope.
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