Introduction to Chemotherapy, NHS Highland

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a treatment for cancer. It uses strong medicine to kill cancer cells.

Sometimes, these medicines can make you feel sick or tired.

Doctors give chemotherapy in a clinic or hospital.

If you don't understand, you can:

• Ask the doctor or nurse to explain it.
• Look at pictures or videos about chemotherapy.
• Ask someone you trust to help you learn about it.

How do you get chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a special medicine that helps fight cancer. Here’s how you might get it:

• By mouth: You can take it as a pill.
• Through a vein: You get it through a needle in your arm.
• As a cream: You rub it on your skin.

Your doctor will help you know which way is best for you.

Tools to help: You can use pictures or videos to understand better. It's okay to ask questions if you're unsure.

What happens to your body during chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a medicine used to treat cancer. Sometimes it can make people feel unwell. Here are some things that might happen:

• Feeling very tired
• Losing your hair
• Feeling sick or throwing up
• Getting mouth sores
• Loose poop (diarrhea) or trouble pooping (constipation)

It can help to talk to a doctor or nurse about how you feel. They can give you medicine to feel better. Friends and family can also help you during treatment.

How often will I need to have chemotherapy?

How many times will I need chemo?

Chemo is medicine to help you get better from cancer.

Your doctor will tell you how often you need to take it.

It can be once a week or once a month. It depends on what you need.

If you want, you can use a calendar or a chart to remember.

Always ask questions if you are not sure.

Can I work while I have chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a medicine to help fight cancer. It can make you feel very tired or sick.

You might be able to work, but it depends on how you feel. Some people can work, and some people need to rest more.

If you want to work, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you decide what is best for you.

Tools that can help:

• Talking to your boss about working part-time or from home.
• Using a planner to keep track of your schedule.
• Asking friends or family to help with things you find hard.

Does chemotherapy hurt?

Will chemotherapy affect my ability to have children?

Can I eat regular food during chemotherapy?

How can I stay safe during chemotherapy?

Can I drink alcohol during cancer treatment?

Are you getting treatment for cancer? This is called chemotherapy.

If you want to have a drink with alcohol, it's important to talk to your doctor or nurse first.

Alcohol might not be safe with your medicine.

Here are some things you can do to be safe:

• Ask your doctor if drinking is okay.
• Write down what your doctor says.
• If unsure, ask a friend or family member to help ask questions for you.

Take care of yourself! Your health is important.

What should I do if I miss a chemotherapy session?

If you miss a chemotherapy session, don't worry! Here's what you can do:

• Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as you can. They will help you know what to do next.
• Write down your questions so you remember to ask your doctor.
• Use a calendar or a reminder app to keep track of your appointments.
• Ask a family member or friend for help to remember your appointments.

Remember, it's okay to ask for help!

Will I lose my hair during chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a strong medicine that helps fight cancer. Sometimes, when people take this medicine, their hair might fall out. This can be the hair on your head, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

But not everyone loses their hair. It depends on the kind of chemotherapy medicine you get.

Here are some ways to feel better:

• Wear a hat, scarf, or wig if you want to protect your head or feel more comfortable.
• Talk to a friend, family member, or support group about how you feel.
• Ask your doctor or nurse for more information about hair loss.

It's okay to feel upset or worried about losing hair. Remember, it's important to ask questions and talk about your feelings.

How do I know if chemotherapy is helping?

Chemotherapy is medicine to try to make you feel better from cancer.

To know if it's working:

• The doctor checks if the lumps or bumps from cancer are getting smaller.
• You will have some tests, like blood tests or scans. These help the doctor see what is happening inside your body.
• You might feel better and have more energy.

If you're unsure, ask your doctor.

Having someone with you at appointments, like a friend or family member, can be helpful.

Can I travel while having chemo?

Chemotherapy, or "chemo," is a kind of medicine to treat cancer. If you want to travel while having chemo, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can tell you if it is safe for you to go on a trip.

Bring your medicine and any other important things with you when you travel. It’s a good idea to have a plan for rest so you don’t get too tired.

If you feel dizzy or sick, tell someone and take a break.

You might want to take a friend or family member with you to help.

Do I need to eat special food when I have chemotherapy?