Associate Professor from Memorial Ataşehir Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology. Dr. Nur Şener gave information about the known misconceptions about chemotherapy.
Associate Professor of Oncology. Dr. Nur Şener said the following about chemotherapy:
“During chemotherapy treatment, one of the first questions that patients ask is whether or not the hair will fall out. Chemotherapy is not the only treatment method. As there are chemotherapies that shed hair, there are also chemotherapies that do not shed. This should be discussed with the doctor when starting treatment. Not all chemotherapy sheds hair.
Each cancer patient's treatment is unique to him. Smart drugs may not be beneficial for every cancer patient. Although there is the use of smart drugs with chemotherapy or alone in many cancer types, there is no place for routine smart drug use in every cancer type. Genetic testing is required to use some smart drugs. According to the results of the test, the suitability of the smart medicine for the person is determined.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that can be applied as a preventive treatment in patients who have undergone surgery and in early stage cancers. After the surgery, chemotherapy can be applied to prevent the cancer from recurring even when there is no tumor in the body. Chemotherapy is a treatment method that can be applied at any stage of cancer. Receiving chemotherapy within the scope of cancer treatment does not mean that you are in the last stage of the disease.
Saying that the idea of being sick for a long time and experiencing nausea after chemotherapy is wrong, Dr. Nur Şener continued her words by saying:
“The side effects experienced after chemotherapy are variable in each patient. The aim of chemotherapy is to continue the treatment without impairing the quality of life. Many new and advanced drugs are used for the side effects that can be experienced after chemotherapy. After the use of these drugs, most of the patients do not experience side effects such as nausea. There is no correlation between the side effects experienced after chemotherapy and the success of treatment. A very good treatment success can be achieved without any side effects. The success of the treatment is completely independent of side effects.
The same chemotherapy agent can be used in both lung, breast and pancreatic cancer. Although there are different diseases in which the same chemotherapy is used, there are also different treatment approaches specific to cancer type. There is no single chemotherapy or a single treatment method in the treatment of cancer. As part of the treatment, chemotherapy can be combined with a smart drug, or chemotherapy and immunotherapy or immunotherapy drugs and smart drugs can be combined. The drugs and dosages used vary according to the type or stage of the cancer. Each patient is evaluated individually.
Chemotherapy treatment can reduce reproductive functions in both men and women. It can reduce the egg reserve in women and the sperm count in men. However, many people can have children after chemotherapy. Sperm storage or egg freezing is recommended for people who are considering having a child after chemotherapy. ”
Saying that the thought of getting worse after each chemotherapy session is wrong, Dr. Nur Şener concluded her words by saying the following about chemotherapy:
“Usually, similar side effects are experienced in subsequent chemotherapy sessions, just as side effects are experienced after the first chemotherapy. Side effects vary from person to person. While the same drug causes diarrhea in some patients, it can cause constipation in some patients, on the contrary. Chemotherapy can also be applied for preventive purposes in the early stages. Chemotherapy can also be applied to patients in whom cancer cells are not detected in their body. The best example of this is the use of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer, even at the earliest stage.
It is possible to go on vacation during chemotherapy by paying attention to certain rules. Care should be taken against infections as the immune system will be weakened. Very crowded places should not be preferred for vacation. Ensure the cleanliness of the sea. Public pools should be avoided, except for the private pool. Some drugs used in chemotherapy can increase skin sensitivity. Therefore, it is necessary to act in consultation with the doctor about sunbathing. However, other than that, sunbathing should not exceed 10-15 minutes at noon when the sun is at the top. There are no restrictions on boarding the plane.
Pets such as cats, dogs and birds that are in the house while receiving chemotherapy do not need to be removed from the house. However, not neglecting the routine care and vaccinations of pets is important for the general health of both the animal and the patient being treated. “
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