About Us
Our Specialists
For Patients
Locations
Contact Us
About Us
Our Specialists
For Patients
Locations
Contact Us
PatientFAQ
Search Site:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have a serious disease or a Cancer?
Most of patients treated at the SCA don’t necessarily have a cancer or malignant disease. Benign haematology or blood diseases are far more common than cancer. There are wide variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases that are treated in SCA. This includes haematological malignant diseases such as lymphoma, myeloma and leukemias as well as oncological solid tumours like prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Most frequently; patients treated from anaemia, bleeding or clotting disorders. Please ask your doctor about your condition and they will take all the time to explain to you thoroughly to assure your understanding of your disease and the course of treatment.
We provide, as a centre of excellence, up-to-date evidence based medicine that focuses on patients to improve their outcomes. As cited above the high ranking and cutting edge research led by our doctors makes a health difference.
Our expert specialists are here to help you and find a cure for your condition. We are happy to direct you to all materials that can help you in understanding your disease and help in your successful treatment.
How does Chemotherapy work?
Chemotherapy kills rapidly-dividing cells in a variety of ways, depending on the drug. Since there are many different types of cancers that all grow differently, many chemotherapy drugs have been developed to target these various growth patterns. Each drug has a different way of working and is effective at a specific time in the life cycle of the cell it targets. For example, some chemotherapy drugs work by:
Damaging DNA
Preventing cells from dividing
Disrupting cellular metabolism
How is Chemotherapy given?
Intravenously
By mouth in the form of a tablet
Via an injection
By intrathecal injection (meaning into the spinal fluid)
Why have Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy can be used for different reasons:
Cure
– Some cancers can be cured by chemotherapy on its own or in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or radiotherapy.
To help other (primary) treatments
– Chemotherapy can be given either before or after other treatments. Used beforehand (neo-adjuvant therapy), its purpose is to make the cancer smaller so your primary treatment is more effective. If chemotherapy is given after your primary treatment (adjuvant therapy), its aim is to get rid of any remaining cancer cells that may not be seen on scans.
To control the cancer
– If the cancer is too large and can’t be cured, chemotherapy can be used to control the cancer’s growth for an extended period of time.
Symptom relief
– When the cancer can’t be cured, but causes symptoms such as pain, treatment – such as chemotherapy – can provide relief. This is called palliative treatment.
Does Chemotherapy hurt?
Having intravenous chemotherapy may feel like having your blood taken.
If you have a temporary tube (cannula) in your hand or arm, only the initial injection may hurt.
If you have a central venous access device, it should not be painful.
Some treatments will cause side effects. However, chemotherapy drugs are constantly being improved to give you the best possible results and to reduce side effects.
If you feel burning, coolness, pain or any other unusual sensation where a cannula or central venous access device enters your body, or if you have tenderness or redness over the injection site, tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
How often will I receive Chemotherapy?
Generally, treatments are given daily, weekly, or monthly. How often you receive chemotherapy depends on the type of cancer and which drug or combination of drugs you receive. Your doctor will help you determine the most effective treatment schedule for you. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles with rest periods between each administration.
What Chemotherapy will I receive?
You will receive chemotherapy that is best suited to achieve your goals of therapy. When selecting a treatment or treatments, your doctor will consider:
Your diagnosis
How far along your cancer is in its development
The expected behaviour of the cancer
Where the cancer originated
Other medical problems you may have
Any potential side effects from your treatment
Can I take other medications while having Chemotherapy?
Some other drugs can affect your chemotherapy. Be sure you discuss with your doctor the other medications you are currently taking. Don’t forget prescriptions drugs and those you can get without a prescription. Tell your doctor about vitamins, herbs and anything else you may be taking. Make and keep a list of all the drugs you are currently taking. Keep this list up to date and share it with your doctor. Your doctor will tell you if it is okay to take these drugs while you are on chemotherapy. Once you start chemotherapy check with your doctor before starting any new drugs, or cease taking ones you have been taking.
Does Chemotherapy cause hair loss?
We are fortunate and delighted to offer complimentary scalp cooling treatment to minimise or prevent hair loss that is commonly associated with some types of chemotherapy as part of our service.
If you would like to read more about the subject, please click the following link:
https://www.petermac.org/sites/default/files/media-uploads/Scalp%20Cooling%20Patient%20Booklet.pdf
Will I be able to work during Chemotherapy?
During chemotherapy, many people can keep doing the things they were doing every day, such as going to work. But the side effects of chemotherapy keep some people from being able to perform their daily duties.
If having chemotherapy means you can’t work or play, like you used to, you may need to make some changes. One way to do this is to have your chemotherapy late in the day or right before the weekend, discuss these options with your doctor. This way it may not affect your daily life so much.
Fatigue is a very common side effect of chemotherapy. This can make it hard to put in a full day’s work or do things you want to do. Consider changing your work hours or reducing your hours so you can get the rest you require.