Breast Cancer Chemotherapy

First, what is chemotherapy? It’s the use of drugs to destroy fast growing cancer cells.

• Cancer cells grow faster than healthy cells so chemotherapy targets those fast growing cancer cells.

• However, because chemo attacks fast-growing cells it can also affect healthy cells that are fast-growing.

• Some fast-growing cells are skin, hair, and intestinal cells.

• I think of chemo like treating a garden full of flowers with hidden weeds. I can easily pull the weeds that I see but I also need to treat the entire garden with an herbicide for the weeds that I can’t see.

Your medical oncologist will determine which regimen to prescribe based on your age, the stage and type of cancer, your genetic profile, any diagnosed health problems. You may hear some scary nicknames for the regimens - I ignored those - the medical oncologist and the pharmacist are the experts and they want to prescribe what’s best for the patient.

Next, what should I expect during treatments?

Treatments for breast cancer are usually given in cycles.

• The cycle can vary from once a week to once every three weeks.

• Each cycle is followed by a period of recovery.

Before each cycle you may be instructed to take a steroid to control nausea. I took them as prescribed, and they worked every single time.

At the start of each treatment day you will have your blood tested to confirm:

• blood cell and platelet counts

• and your kidney and liver function

Once you’re in the chemo chair the chemo room pharmacist will meet with you just prior to the nurse giving you your first chemo infusion.

• They will review side effects and any precautions to take after you complete each cycle.

Chemo can be delivered:

• Intravenously by slow drip

• Through a port inserted in your chest

• Through a catheter in your chest or arm

• By injection

• Or as a pill

You may receive multiple drugs during each cycle, but the nurse will administer each drug separately.

• I was usually at the hospital for 6 – 8 hours starting with the morning blood test until the last treatment of the day.

• I had direct side effects such as nausea 4-5 days after each treatment.

• I reached my low point – called a nadir around 10-12 days after each treatment.

• I had indirect side effects such a general tiredness and no hair for ~ 4 months after my final treatment.

• And I felt “normal” ~ a year after.

Lastly, how can I prepare for chemotherapy?

You will want to improve your overall health through diet, exercise, and rest.

• I can’t over-emphasize the importance of a healthy diet. Because as you move through your chemo cycles it becomes difficult to continue healthy eating habits so it’s best to start out with a super healthy diet.

• Start getting more exercise as soon as you can before treatments since it becomes more difficult after you start.

• Rest is hard but we set up an extra sleeping location for my peace of mind and it made a big difference for me.

Ask your doctor what to expect and plan for side effects prior to beginning treatment. For example,

• Get a wig, scarf or other head covering for hair loss.

• Get over the counter treatments for mouth sores and constipation.

• If your doctor prescribes anti-nausea meds, get them before your first treatment - I took them at the first sign of nausea, and they worked every single time.

Also, try to arrange for extra help at home and at work before you start.

• Chemo side effects will increase over time, so you will need help after repeated cycles.

• You also may have to stay away from others during certain phases of your treatments so you will need help and you may need to be away from work.

Chemotherapy can be pretty tough but sometimes it’s the only way to ensure that we get the weeds out of our beautiful flower garden.

Watch our video on breast cancer chemotherapy on YouTube https://youtu.be/p_exPLcJwjg

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