Chemotherapy: Best Ways to Help

Living with a cancer diagnosis is never easy, whether you are a patient or a caregiver. When the choice of treatment is chemotherapy, coping strategies allow the treatment to realize its full potential. Through education awareness, patients and caregivers can develop a supportive environment in which neither party feels threatened or alienated. The key is trying to understand the disease, treatment and each other.

What is Chemotherapy?

• Chemotherapy is a drug treatment used to kill malignant cancer cells. It stops the growth of cancer cells before they can divide and multiply throughout the body. Chemotherapy treatments can not only kill cancer cells, but can shrink the size of existing tumors that are causing severe pain. This method of treatment can also work in tandem with other cancer treatments such as radiation or biological therapy.

Chemotherapy Effects

• Some people do not experience any ill effects after chemotherapy treatments. Most of the time, patients have reported feeling some sort of side effects. These include, but are not limited to, fatigue, diarrhea, pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores and anemia.

  Perhaps chemotherapy's greatest effect is on the psyche. A strong emotional support team consisting of caregiver, physician, nurse, spiritual adviser and, of course, the patient, should be in place before any course of chemotherapy is given.

Methods of Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy may be given through injections in the muscles of your hip, arm or thigh. It can also be administered through intra-arterial or intravenous, topically (cream) or by pills you swallow.

Preparation

• Understanding chemotherapy, the nature of your cancer and meditation can work together to help you develop a coping strategy as you go through your course of treatment. Other things to help prepare are a balanced diet of lean protein, fruits, whole grain and vegetables and a light routine of walking 15 to 20 minutes per day. These can help prevent the nagging fatigue that often accompanies chemotherapy treatments.

Caregivers

• Caregivers also must be major contributors within the patient's support structure. Caregivers are susceptible to feeling alienated, overwhelmed and often taken for granted. When possible, arrange for respite care so the caregiver can have a break. Respite care involves inviting someone from either an outside agency or another family member to take over care duties briefly.