Sometimes it results from a sudden life change. Here are the tools you need for…. Women who chose to undergo chemotherapy offer their insights and wisdom in hopes of providing clarity to others who are just beginning treatment.
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Scientists are studying immunotherapies and other cancer treatments to develop effective therapies with less intense side effects. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Is Chemo Still Working for You? Things to Consider. Chemo timeline Other treatments Questions to ask Stopping all treatment Takeaway Chemotherapy is a powerful cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
How long can chemo take to work? What are my other options? How can I bring up my concerns to my doctor? Or you might have it in addition to surgery or chemotherapy. You usually do not stay in the hospital for radiation therapy. But you might need to go for treatment often, sometimes every day for several weeks.
Radiation therapy can come from a machine outside the body. Or your doctor may put tiny pieces of radioactive material inside your body, near the tumor.
Depending on your health, your doctor might recommend less intense treatment for a shorter time than for someone younger. Older adults usually do well with radiation therapy.
The side effects depend on the type and dose of radiation therapy and where the cancer is. For example, radiation therapy for prostate cancer can cause different side effects than radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Learn more about radiation therapy for specific types of cancer types. Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. The people in clinical trials volunteer to help researchers learn more about new drugs and treatments.
Doctors need to learn which treatments work best in older adults. They also need to learn if those treatments might work differently than in younger people. Talk with your health care team about available clinical trials and how they differ from standard treatment. This is called palliative care or supportive care.
It can be especially important for older adults. This is because older adults can have more side effects, especially from chemotherapy. Or your body may not recover as quickly from surgery as someone younger, which can cause more symptoms. Palliative care also includes getting all the support you and your family need during cancer.
Anyone can receive palliative care at any time. It is important to ask for support when you need it. Advanced cancer is cancer that doctors cannot cure.
It is also called end-stage cancer or terminal cancer. Even though your health care team cannot cure advanced cancer, they can treat it. And you can still have a good quality of life. Hospice Care. This is care to help you and your family cope with death and dying.
It is available when you are no longer having treatment to cure your cancer. Understanding these types of care can help you and your health care team plan for your needs, goals, and wishes. Learn more about advanced cancer. After you learn about your treatment options and your general health, you might need more information. Consider asking your health care team the following:. Will I need to be in the hospital for treatment?
Or can I stay home and come to the hospital or clinic during the day? If I am worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns? Why your decisions matter In the past, doctors sometimes made decisions without talking with patients. What to consider Before making any treatment decisions, talk with your health care team about: The type of cancer, if it has spread, and how far All your treatment options, and the risks and benefits of each one Any other medical conditions that might cause problems with treatment or increase your risk of side effects How cancer treatment can affect your physical health, emotional health, and lifestyle Thinking about your personal situation is also very important.
You might want to consider: Possible emotional and social challenges. Think about each of the areas listed below: Physical comfort Relationships Nutrition Ability to keep taking care of yourself, do usual activities, or live independently Financial security Having a meaningful life Your ideas about a dignified or peaceful death It is important to talk honestly with your health care team about what quality of life means to you. Learn more about making decisions about cancer treatment.
Your cancer treatment goals Your cancer treatment goals depend on many factors. If you and your family do not agree Family members, friends, and caregivers might have different ideas about your treatment. Cancer treatment options for older adults You may have just one type of treatment or a combination of treatments. The main cancer treatments for people of all ages are: Surgery Chemotherapy or targeted therapy Radiation therapy How cancer surgery can affect older adults Like other treatments, surgery has risks.
Before surgery, you and your doctor should think about the following: Heart function. Considering surgery risks and benefits It is important to talk with your health care team about the risks and benefits of cancer surgery. Learn more about cancer surgery. Planning for after surgery Talk with your health care team about the care you need after surgery. Ask if you might need: A home health aide A visiting nurse Physical therapy A social worker Support groups Recommendations for help in your community Planning for your after-surgery care is important.
How chemotherapy can affect older adults Unlike surgery, chemotherapy can take a long time. Side effects of chemotherapy Unlike radiation therapy and surgery, chemotherapy affects your whole body. Side effects may include: Fewer blood cells, also called low blood counts. To make these side effects less severe, or less likely, your doctor can: Check for health problems before you start chemotherapy Change the dose or type of drug Chemotherapy and your other medications Older adults are more likely than younger people to take regular medications for other health conditions.
Learn more about chemotherapy. How radiation therapy can affect older adults Radiation therapy might be your only treatment. Learn more about radiation therapy. Considering radiation risks and benefits Talk with your health care team about: The cost of treatment If you need to be away from home Treatment schedule How to keep a healthy diet during treatment Depending on your health, your doctor might recommend less intense treatment for a shorter time than for someone younger.
Clinical trials Clinical trials are research studies that involve people. Learn more about clinical trials. Advanced cancer care Advanced cancer is cancer that doctors cannot cure. Advanced cancer treatment options include: Standard treatment. The current or most effective treatment available. Clinical trials. Cancer specialists oncologists recommend chemotherapy in one of two situations.
For some cancers, chemotherapy can completely get rid of the cancer with a good chance that it will never come back. Examples include certain types of lymphoma, leukemia and testicular cancer, among others.
For most cancers that have metastasized spread beyond the original cancer site , chemotherapy cannot cure the cancer. However, chemotherapy may be helpful in shrinking the cancer, improving or completely eliminating distressing symptoms caused by the cancer for a period of time and helping you live longer.
The use of chemotherapy in these situations is called palliative chemotherapy. What information do you need from the oncologist to help you decide if palliative chemotherapy is right for you or your loved one? Response Rate refers to the likelihood that your cancer will improve from the treatment.
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