There are several different types of cancer treatments that might take place once a diagnosis has been reached. Many people are familiar with the treatment terms such as chemotherapy and radiation but aren’t sure what they actually entail.
Chemotherapy involves the use of strong drugs to treat cancer. It was first used in the 1950s and is used to help kill cancer cells. This form of cancer treatment differs from others in that it works throughout the entire body instead of in one specific area. More than 100 chemo drugs are used in many different combinations to kill more cancer cells. This treatment can be given as a fluid, in pill form, as a shot or through an IV. The severity of side effects varies greatly from person to person and some people experience few, if any. Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy are:
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Increased chance of bruising, bleeding, and infection
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Appetite changes
- Mouth, gum, and throat problems
There can be solutions to many of these side effects so talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing and visit our Health Info site for more information.
Similarly to chemotherapy, radiation is a cancer treatment that serves to kill cancer cells. High energy radiation kills these cells by damaging their DNA which causes them to stop dividing or die. Radiation can be received outside of the body, through a machine called external-beam radiation therapy, or from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells, called internal radiation therapy. Like most cancer treatments, there are side effects that a patient might experience. Because healthy cells can be damaged by radiation, hair loss or skin damage can occur. It’s important to talk to your physician about what to expect and what you’re experiencing.
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