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Article Series: Breast Cancer
Help Me Understand Breast Cancer
Breast
Cancer and Chemotherapy Treatments
In the fight against breast cancer one of
the foremost treatments applied is that of chemotherapy. This
is the use of strong drugs to destroy cancer cells in the body. It is termed a 'systemic treatment' because it will affect
the entire bodily system. Although it is usually given after
surgery has been done - this is to help catch and destroy any
cancer cells that have left the original area and traveled
throughout the body - it can also be administered beforehand
and used to help diminish the size of some of the larger tumors.
Chemotherapy has been an effective treatment against cancer
because these types of cells are rapidly dividing. Because
of this, they lack the needed stability and fuel that would
normally help a cell to repair itself. Healthy cells have a
better chance of bouncing back.
To determine if a patient will require chemotherapy as a part
of their treatment plan a doctor will look at the characteristics
of the type of cancer, the size of the tumor and whether or
not the cancer may have already spread from the original area.
Chemotherapy is usually a combination of different drugs that
is determined by each individual situation. This is because
different drugs will work on cancer in different manners. The
goal is to give the most effective treatment at this initial
stage. It is most often administered intravenously but at times
in can be given in pill form. This is done on an out patient
basis. The visits to the treatment center will range between
four to eight times and will last anywhere from three to six
months.
Though much progress has been made in lessening the side effects
of this powerful form of treatment, the patient will nonetheless
experience some of the following: hair loss, nausea, vomiting,
fatigue, sores in the mouth area, diarrhea, aching in the muscles
and joints, menopausal symptoms and some memory fogginess.
The nurses and staff that form apart of the team that is caring
for you will be able to offer much help in dealing with this
discomfort. They will be concerned that you understand everything
that is happening in your system.
It may help to understand that part of the problem stems from
the fact that certain areas of our body have healthy rapidly
dividing cells. This is a protective part of our natural system.
Since chemotherapy works on these types of cells the side effects
will show up in these areas, such as the mouth, hair, nails,
vagina and intestines. Thankfully these areas repair themselves
well and once the chemotherapy has been completed they should
return to normal.
In some cases chemotherapy can have more serious side effects
such as infertility. It is important to have an open and frank
conversation with your oncologist in order to make an informed
decision about your overall treatment plan. There is no doubt
that great progress is being made to make sure the anyone undergoing
this treatment will be able to do so as comfortably as possible.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2008
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