Jenny: My name's Jenny King and I'm a Chemotherapy Specialist Nurse at
Brighton and Sussex University Trust Hospital.
Chemotherapy is drug treatment for cancer and it can be given in a number
of ways; intravenously, so injected into the vein, or in tablet form.
Chemotherapy can be given on it's own or it can be used in conjunction
with other treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy works by interfering with cell division, so it gets
into your bloodstream and attacks the cancer cells wherever they are and stops them from
dividing and multiplying. It is important for patients to tell their oncologist about
the type of medication they're already taking as that might have an influence on the chemotherapy
treatment they require. Some chemotherapy treatments can be given at home and might
involve taking tablets. Most chemotherapy is given as an outpatient in an outpatient
unit and some treatments are given on a ward.
When you come into the chemotherapy unit,
the first thing you'll see is a room with comfortable reclining chairs, everyone will
be in their own clothes. You'll be able to, sort of, relax and eat and drink while you're
having treatment. Your chemotherapy treatment could take a few minutes or it could actually
take several hours. When you have chemotherapy, you wouldn't normally feel anything at all
and if you do feel unwell, then it's important to let your
chemotherapy nurse know straight away.
Chemotherapy is usually given as a number of cycles of treatment, that would depend
on the type of chemotherapy that you need and the type of cancer that you have. It's
usual for chemotherapy to be given every one, two or three weeks, so that allows your body
to have a rest period in between treatments.
Louise: I've been having chemotherapy for
about four months and this is, I've had six sessions and this is my last session today.
Before I came here, I expected it to be a row of metal beds and everybody was just lying
there but it's quite casual, you can bring your lunch, bring a friend and do what you
want to really; watch a film, read, so it's quite a nice rest actually. You know, you
don't have to do any washing up or anything. (laughs)
Jenny: It's natural to feel scared about some of the
possible side effects of chemotherapy but everybody reacts differently
and it's unlikely you're going to experience all of the side effects. The most common ones
are feeling very tired after treatment or also feeling sick but there's plenty of things
we can do to help you with that so it's important to let us
know if you're experiencing any side effects.
Louise: I get pains in my lower legs and my lower arms about four days after I've
had the chemotherapy. That goes away after about three days. And then, I'm a bit tired
towards the end, getting towards to the end of the treatments. But nothing that's not insurmountable.
Jenny: One of the concerns is that chemotherapy patients will lose their
hair. First of all, not everybody will lose their hair, it does depend a lot on what type
of chemotherapy you're going to have. But even if you are going to experience hair loss,
then we can give you help and advice about wigs and hair care to try and minimise that.
Some of the other common side effects of chemotherapy are an increased risk of infection so it's
really important to let your doctor or nurse know straight away if you think you're coming
down with any signs of infection such as a fever, high temperature or feeling unwell.
Louise: I think the chemotherapy is a small price to pay
for what I am hoping will be a cure for what I've got.
Jenny: There's lot's of information on the Macmillan website about
all types of chemotherapy or if you have any concerns, you can call the Macmillan support line.