How to Explore Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy involves taking cancer-fighting drugs either intravenously or by mouth. It's effective when cancerous breast cells have spread beyond the initial area of generation. While radiation therapy is often used when cancerous cells are still localized and contained within a limited area, chemotherapy attacks malignant cells that have spread out into other areas.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know that chemotherapy is a systemic treatment for breast cancer. Unlike surgery, chemotherapy can affect the entire body. This is why it is used to kill cancer cells that have split off from the main tumor.

2. Expect side effects. The most common side effect is extreme fatigue. Other side effects include hair loss, loss of appetite, temporary decrease in memory function and nausea. Because of the severity of these side effects, your daily activities will likely need to be curtailed during chemotherapy.

3. Evaluate the possible permanent side effects. You may not be able to become pregnant after receiving chemotherapy. Some women experience early menopause and heart damage.

4. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of emerging treatments, such as high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant. This form of treatment is only available via clinical trials and is best suited for cases when regular doses of chemotherapy aren't likely to be effective.

5. Know that you will have a worldwide support network. Breast cancer survivors and volunteers are everywhere and love to share their stories, compassion and understanding. This is one illness that is in the spotlight, and you will have friends to help you during your healing. The American Cancer Society's support group Web page offers a variety of ways to give and receive support (see Resources below).

6. Continue getting mammograms of the breast tissue after your chemotherapy treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your doctor to fully explain the chemotherapy cycle on which you'll be. Chemotherapy is generally administered in doses, with breaks in between doses. Treatment usually lasts for several months.
• The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offers information on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to employees suffering from cancer (see Resources below).
• The rigors of breast cancer and cancer treatments often affect a woman's ability to feel feminine. If you or someone you know is dealing with this, connect with a local support group and organize a group outing to a semi-formal or formal event. You can find support group information at the American Cancer Society Web site (see Resources below).

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