Contents:
- Medical Video: Preparing for Chemotherapy
- All you need to know about breast cancer chemotherapy
- Tests that must be followed before breast cancer chemotherapy
- Questions to ask the doctor
- When your plan can change
- Be prepared for the side effects of breast cancer
- Prepare for your first chemotherapy
Medical Video: Preparing for Chemotherapy
Like other procedures, chemotherapy must be planned before you undergo treatment. However, when you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you may not care about anything but your illness. Let this article help you find out how your treatment plan was formed.
All you need to know about breast cancer chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is designed based on your type of breast cancer, cancer position, and your general health.
Chemotherapy usually includes a series of treatments. One treatment sequence usually consists of 4 to 8 cycles. One cycle includes the time of treatment you received and the gap between two cycles. Thus, chemotherapy can last from 3 to 6 months, or in some cases it can be longer. One cycle usually consists of several treatments. Each treatment can take several hours, or several days, depending on the dose and type of medication.
Giving chemotherapy in several cycles can kill more cancer cells, and your body has time to recover.
The doctor will check your condition and how well the treatment works before you start a new cycle. Then, the doctor can adjust the treatment plan. This plan helps treatment run smoothly.
Tests that must be followed before breast cancer chemotherapy
Before treatment, you will be advised to undergo a blood test, X-ray, or CT scan. The doctor will read the results to determine your treatment. These results are also stored to be compared with the results of the test later. This helps the doctor to know whether your treatment is working. The doctor will also check your height and weight to determine the dosage of the drug.
Chemotherapy can make bones stop releasing red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Therefore, your doctor will check your blood before you start a new cycle.
Your doctor can also recommend a test for the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver to check if you are compatible with the drug.
Questions to ask the doctor
Don't hesitate to ask about your treatment. This can help the doctor to make a treatment plan that is more suitable. If you do not agree with the doctor's recommended treatment plan, you can discuss it with your doctor to make adjustments. Also ask about possible side effects of treatment and what the doctor plans to help you solve the problem.
When your plan can change
Your treatment plan can change when your chemotherapy starts. Changes will depend on your blood count (blood cell levels), your personal reasons or expectations, or whether your breast cancer is getting better. Your plan can change to adjust the situation.
Be prepared for the side effects of breast cancer
Ask your doctor about possible side effects so you can plan ahead. Hair loss, and loss of appetite can occur. So, you can prepare headgear, healthy food to increase appetite, or exercise that can be done by breast cancer patients.
Prepare for your first chemotherapy
Ask your doctor or other health personnel about how to prepare for your first chemotherapy. Ask someone to take you to the hospital and take care of you during the chemotherapy session.
Chemotherapy is planned for each patient to suit their individual conditions and support the effects of treatment. You can take part in the planning process by knowing how a treatment plan was formed.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
