CHEMOTHERAPY AND THE CANCER VICTIM

 

 

What is chemotherapy in relation to cancer?

Chemotherapy is the use of chemical agents/medications in order to treat cancer. Other ways of treatment for cancer include surgery, radiation, or bone marrow transplantation.

Cells that grow and divide much faster than other body cells is referred to as cancer, which causes a tumor, or mass. Usually the drugs for treating cancer target the faster growing cells in order to kill them to prevent growth of the cancer, but unfortunately this treatment also affects healthy cells, creating chemotherapy side effects. The fast growing cells are often found in hair follicles, GI tract, reproductive organs, and bone marrow, explaining why side effects of chemo can include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, impotence in men and menopause in women.

Chemo can be used to achieve any of several goals. One goal is to kill all cancer cells, and when not possible, keep the cells from spreading to other areas of the body. When cancer is not curable chemo can be used to promote comfort and good quality of life.

Chemo can involve a drug or series of drugs. It can be combined with surgery and or radiation. Can be administered at home, doctor's office, outpatient in a hospital or inpatient in a hospital. Chemo can be administered daily, weekly, monthly and is given in repeated cycles followed by a drug free period to allow the body to adjust and heal. Administration routes include in an IV, by mouth, injected into the tumor, applied to the skin, or placed into a body cavity, i.e. bladder.

Home Comfort for the Cancer Victim

 At home, it is important to realize that the cancer victim has many needs.  In addition to the medical needs for this person, s/he will also need you to

• Promote comfort.  Ensuring timely receipt of pain medication, it is important to catch the pain before it becomes severe.  If the effects of pain meds haven’t done their job within an hour or two, a change in dose or medication may be required, so contact the medical professional who is working with the cancer victim.  Backrubs, relaxation, aromatherapy, soft music can often help. 
• Address fatigue.  Allow the patient to rest; provide a restful environment especially when the patient expresses the need.
• Environment.  Keeping the environment as clean as possible, since the cancer patient has an increased risk of infection than others.  Removing people who have colds or flu is important.
• Nutrition promotion is important for this person, also.  Nigh quality nutrients especially protein, are needed to help the body to repair itself.  The body also needs calories.  Supplements may also be helpful in providing this for the patient.