What Precautions Should You Take During Chemotherapy Treatment?
- Stay active. Staying active helps to keep your body strong while you’re undergoing chemotherapy. It may also help to lift your mood and improve your ...
- Engage in a calming activity.
- Be proactive about nausea.
- Hydrate.
- Focus on calories and protein.
Full Answer
What is the best exercise for cancer patients?
The following types of exercise can help cancer patients - and everyone else - get back in shape:
- Flexibility exercises ( stretching ). Virtually everyone can do flexibility exercises. ...
- Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, and swimming. This kind of exercise burns calories and helps you lose weight. ...
- Resistance training (Iifting weights or isometric exercise), which builds muscle. ...
What are possible ways to help cancer patients?
- Take care of the grocery shopping, or order groceries online and have them delivered.
- Help keep their household running. ...
- Bring a cup of tea or coffee and stop by for a visit. ...
- Give the primary caregiver a break. ...
- Drive the patient to appointments. ...
- Take notes during appointments or when the doctor or nurse stops by in the hospital. ...
What to say to a cancer patient?
The largest hospital system in Idaho is preparing to offer a new cancer treatment this April for the first time in the Gem State.
How to tell your patients they have cancer?
- Call ahead . Find out the visiting hours of the nursing unit. ...
- Expect to keep your visit short . You should visit for no more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time. ...
- Stay away if you are not feeling well . ...
- If you want to bring gifts, use your judgment. ...
How do you stay strong during cancer treatment?
How to stay strong mentally and physically during cancer...Take Care of Your Body. ... Visit a Therapist. ... Encourage Spirituality. ... Talk to Your Family and Friends. ... Talk to Other Cancer Patients. ... Eat Healthy and Exercise. ... Enjoy the Activities You Love.
What are the best things to do during chemotherapy?
10 chemotherapy tips from cancer patients who've been thereGet some rest. ... Stay hydrated. ... Eat when you can. ... Create a sense of normalcy in your routine. ... Look to your support and care teams to have your back through treatment. ... Keep things around that bring you comfort. ... Stay ahead of your nausea. ... Stay positive.More items...•
Do and don'ts during chemotherapy?
Stay away from strong smelling foods to avoid aggravating any disorders of taste. Avoid fatty fried, spicy and overly sweet foods, as they may induce nausea. Avoid refined sugars (including raw, brown and palm sugar) as well as refined carbohydrates as most tumours prefer glucose as a source of energy.
What activities can you do during chemo?
Play a Game. Bring along some games or puzzles to occupy yourself during an infusion. If you have an electronic device, you can load your own games on it. If you're not a geek but prefer more intellectual entertainment, get a book of word puzzles or number games like Sudoku.
What should I do the night before chemo?
Before your first chemotherapy infusionLet your oncology care team demystify chemotherapy for you. ... Keep your other medical care up-to-date. ... Eat well now and later. ... Arrange for help at home and work. ... Ask someone to come to your first appointment for support and company. ... Prepare a bag to bring with you.More items...•
What should you not do after chemo?
9 things to avoid during chemotherapy treatmentContact with body fluids after treatment. ... Overextending yourself. ... Infections. ... Large meals. ... Raw or undercooked foods. ... Hard, acidic, or spicy foods. ... Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption. ... Smoking.More items...•
How do I prepare my home for chemo?
You may want to keep bleach or sanitizing wipes around your house. Use gloves when you clean. You may be more sensitive to smells if you're in chemotherapy....You or someone else should disinfect items like these once a day:Tables and countertops.Refrigerator handles.Phones.Keyboards.Remote controls.Toilets and faucets.
Why do you have to flush the toilet twice after chemo?
Small amounts of chemotherapy are present in your body fluids and body waste. If any part of your body is exposed to any body fluids or wastes, wash the exposed area with soap and water. People in your household may use the same toilet as you, as long as you flush all waste down the toilet twice with the lid down.
What are good snacks for chemo patients?
Some quick-and-easy snacksCereal (hot or cold)Cheese (aged or hard cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and more)Cookies.Crackers.Dips made with cheese, beans, yogurt, or peanut butter.Fruit (fresh, frozen, canned, dried)Gelatin made with juice, milk, or fruit.Granola or trail mix.More items...•
How do you clean the toilet after chemotherapy?
wipe the toilet seat and rim with a sanitizing wipe after each use. After cleaning, wash your hands with soap and water before touching anything. At the end of 7 days after treatment, wash the toilet and bathroom floor. If you have a low flow toilet, put the lid down and flush the toilet twice.
Can you be alone after chemo?
Yes. It will take some extra planning and working out who can support you but it's possible to continue living alone when you have cancer. Having cancer and going through treatment raises many challenges and emotions. These may be harder to deal with when you live alone.
How many days after chemo do you feel better?
Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.
How to make a decision about cancer treatment?
Ask your doctor how much time you have to decide. Delaying your decision and spending time worrying about it can drain your energy, so don't draw out the process too long.
What to ask your doctor about your health?
Your health in general. If you have other health conditions, ask your doctor how treatment will affect those conditions.
How to make a reasonable treatment decision?
To make a reasonable treatment decision, keep in mind the type of cancer you have, its stage, what treatment options are available and how likely these treatments are to work under these circumstances. Talk to your doctor about trustworthy websites, books and patient education materials to supplement your discussions.
Why do you partner with your doctor?
Partnering with your doctor to make decisions about your cancer treatment may make you feel more confident as you begin your cancer treatment. Find out how to get involved.
How to make sure you're getting the information you need to make an informed decision?
Effective communication with your doctor is the best way to make sure you're getting the information you need to make an informed decision. To make communicating with your doctor easier, try to: Speak up when you don't understand. If you need further explanation or clarification, tell your doctor.
How to keep track of what your doctor tells you?
Record your conversations. Try to keep track of what your doctor tells you by taking notes. You might also ask if it's OK to record the conversation. This record will be a good reference if you have questions later.
Why is it important to have a close friend at your appointment?
It may help to think about how you've handled difficult decisions in the past. And it may help to have a close friend or family member at your appointments to help you decide .
How to prevent cancer from affecting your immune system?
If your cancer treatment has weakened your immune system, some of these foods may not be safe for you. Practice food safety by keeping foods at safe temperatures. Don't let perishable foods sit out for more than an hour. Avoid unpasteurized juice, cheese or milk, and raw or undercooked meats.
What to do if your throat is sore?
Note: If your mouth or throat is sore, avoid spices, acidic foods, and hot foods or beverages, which may be irritating.
How to get rid of a bad taste in your mouth?
Select foods with a variety of colors, temperatures and textures. Drink liquids often or use gum, mints or hard candies to remove a bad taste in your mouth. Try using plastic utensils if you have a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth when eating. Check with your dentist to see if you have any dental problems.
Does cancer affect taste?
You may find that cancer or cancer treatment has affected your sense of taste. Food may seem to lack flavor or taste too sweet, salty or metallic. Usually these changes are temporary and will improve with time. In the meantime, do what you can to maintain your calorie intake and meet your body's protein, vitamin and mineral needs.
Can you stop taking meds if your taste changes?
In some cases, your doctor may adjust your medications to reduce or eliminate side effects. Don't stop taking your medications unless your doctor tells you to.
How to help a young mother with cancer?
3. Babysit. A young mother in cancer treatment needs help with her young children, if they are under school-age. Organize babysitting for her on treatment days or after she has surgery. 4. Bring a meal. Dishes that are easy to reheat are a lifesaver. 5. Organize meals.
What to do when you don't forget your caregiver?
22. Don’t forget the caregiver. Call or text the caregiver to offer help with household chores or driving or grass mowing or laundry. Caregivers carry a big burden.
What to do during chemotherapy?
These include things like eating a nutritious diet, staying active, and using support services like counseling and support groups. Last medically reviewed on May 5, 2021.
How to help your body heal from chemotherapy?
Focus on calories and protein. When you’re on chemotherapy, it’s important to keep up your strength to help your body heal and to cope with any treatment side effects. Because of this, you’ll need to have extra calories and protein in your diet.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
When this happens, it can lead to side effects like lowered immunity, hair loss, and nausea or vomiting. There are certain precautions that you can take to limit your side effects and help make treatment safer. We’ll explore nine things to avoid during chemotherapy treatment.
How to avoid contact with body fluids?
Here are a few tips for a avoiding contact: Wash your hands. Thoroughly wash and dry your hands after using the bathroom or after coming into contact with any body fluids that may contain chemotherapy drugs. Flush twice.
What are some precautions to take during chemotherapy?
Some examples of these steps are preventing contact with bodily fluids after treatment, avoiding infections, and not smoking.
How to stop chemotherapy?
Avoid gyms. Since chemotherapy can weaken your immune system, it’s a good idea to avoid crowded gyms during your treatment. Know when to stop. If you experience symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain during your workout, stop the workout and speak with your doctor about other ways to stay active.
How does chemotherapy work?
It works by using strong drugs to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide more quickly than many healthy cell types. However, it’s still possible for chemotherapy to target healthy cells that also divide quickly. Some examples include cells in the digestive tract, immune system, ...
When will medical supplies be available for cancer patients?
on April 12, 2020. When going through cancer treatment, there are medical supplies available that make life a little easier. In these top picks, we look at the most-needed things during cancer treatment. You may find them useful in your own care or as a caregiver of patients with cancer . 1.
Can you bathe after surgery?
Sometimes fatigue is so severe, it is just too tiring to bathe. At other times, bathing is restricted for a period after surgery. This type of soap doesn't require rinsing, so you can get clean without water.
Can radiation patients swallow pills?
This is great for one that has difficulty swallowing or for patients who take many pills at the same and who are having difficulty swallowing them together or consecutively. It is also great for radiation patients who have dry mouth, which can make it difficult to swallow pills.
Does chemotherapy cause nausea?
Diarrhea and nausea are both side effects of chemotherapy. 2 Many times there is such an urgency that the patient may not make it to the restroom. Having a bedside commode makes it much easier.
What is the treatment for cancer?
Chemotherapy is a treatment option for cancer. Chemotherapy drugs target cancer cells which stop or slow their growth.
How to minimize the risk of infection during chemotherapy?
There are also things that a person can do to minimize risks during chemotherapy. This includes practicing good hygiene, such as hand-washing, to minimize the risk of infection.
What cells does chemotherapy target?
Chemotherapy not only targets the rapidly-growing cancer cells but also healthy, rapidly-growing cells in the body. These include the cells that line the intestines and mouth, and the hair follicles.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Some of the side effects of chemotherapy include dry, itchy, red, and peeling skin. Chemotherapy may cause a person’s skin to become more sensitive to sunlight and they also may develop minor rashes.
What is the number to call for cancer treatment?
People can also call The National Cancer Institute at 1-800-422-6237 to receive more information on organizations that offer assistance.
Can chemotherapy cause side effects?
Chemotherapy drugs can also target healthy rapidly-growing cells in the body. This may lead to side effects. A person undergoing chemotherapy can take precautions that may reduce these effects.
Does chemotherapy increase the risk of infection?
Some chemotherapy treatments can increase the risk of infection.
What to say to someone with cancer?
If you’re struggling to find the right words, here are 12 kind things to say to someone with cancer: “I’m here for you.”. “You are in my thoughts and prayers.”. “This stinks.”. “Let me help you with…”. Tell a joke. “You are not alone.”. “Any time you need to talk, I’ll listen.”. “What day works for a visit?”.
How can listening help someone with cancer?
Having someone there to just listen can be enormously helpful for someone with cancer. They’re experiencing a lot of emotions, and you can provide an outlet for whatever they want to talk about.
What is a caring bridge?
When you’re going through a health journey, you have a lot on your plate. CaringBridge replaces the time-consuming task of sharing your health news over and over. It’s a free, easy to use online journal for sharing health information with your family and friends.
How to show support to a friend?
During this difficult time, it’s crucial to show your support by planning regular visits. This will give your friend or family member a sense of community and help them feel like things are more normal. For example, the CaringBridge Planner helps you coordinate care and organize needs like bringing meals, rides to doctor appointments or taking care of pets.
How to show up for a visit?
Visit your loved one whether they’re at home or in the hospital. Showing up can also be as simple as sending a text or a call. Sometimes it is the small gestures that matter the most.
How to help someone who is unknown?
While they enter a new hurdle of their life, you can help by creating some familiarity for them during a period of unknown.
How to make someone feel positive?
A little motivation goes a long way. Pump your loved one up. Make them feel powerful. Whatever words you choose to convey this, they may appreciate the positivity despite a negative situation.
