If you keep your hair short, in six to 12 months most of your chemo curls will be gone and you’ll be free to try new styles with your short hair. For those who opt for longer styles, chemo curls may last several years, or until you cut off the growth that occurred just after chemo.
What happens when you stop chemotherapy?
Sep 08, 2017 · The scan after the 3rd infusion showed a small reduction in the size of the cancer. Jumping forward, when his treatment stops after 6 cycles and taking in to account his original terminal diagnosis, assuming that there is still some cancer there, what happens to it - will it automatically start to grow again and if so, what would be a realistic ...
Does chemotherapy kill cancer cells?
Aug 07, 2018 · Medical care after chemotherapy stops If you decide to stop chemotherapy, be sure you’re still getting relief from symptoms such as pain, constipation, and nausea. This is called palliative care,...
What happens when you take chemotherapy for cancer that has spread?
You have a bad reaction. Chemo can cause side effects -- vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, and more -- that can be hard to handle. If the treatment is your best chance at a cure, your doctor will ...
Will continuing chemotherapy for as long as possible change my survival rate?
The mouth, intestines, skin, hair, bone marrow (the spongy material that fills your bones and produces new blood cells) are commonly affected by chemotherapy. Hair is growing all the time. The skin is constantly renewing itself. So are the lining of the mouth and digestive system.
Is it harmful to take a break from chemotherapy?
This may be called a chemotherapy break. This doesn't matter too much. It shouldn't make the treatment any less effective. But if it happens too often or if the chemotherapy is affecting your kidneys (for example), you may need to have lower doses of the drugs.
What happens if you stop chemotherapy early?
Is it OK to delay chemo for a week?
Can you pause chemo?
Can we stop chemo once you start?
How many rounds of chemo is normal?
How long does chemo keep working in your body?
How long do you live after stopping chemo?
What is a 21 day chemo cycle?
What are the signs that chemo is not working?
How do doctors know how long you have left to live?
How long does breast cancer last?
(An old study of untreated breast cancer suggest the 5 year survival rates are 18% at 5 years and 3.6% at 10 years.)
How many women refused breast cancer surgery?
It compared patients who refused breast cancer with those that those that accepted surgery. Only 1.3% of women (70) refused surgery. Of that group, 37 had no treatment, 25 had hormone-therapy only, and 8 had other types of treatments.
Does CAM help cancer?
Note that the difference is only statistically significant in (a) where all-causes of death were included and not (b), cancer-specific causes. So does that mean CAM helps? Probably not. The two groups are not well defined, and the “unknown” group could include CAM users – it is not a comparison of CAM versus no treatment. And as the types of CAM used was not documented, this is a heterogeneous group. The key point this comparison illustrates is that CAM users did dramatically worse than women that took conventional cancer care. Even delaying surgery to allow for CAM first significantly decreased the effectiveness of subsequent conventional care. The authors conclude, correctly, that there is no evidence to support using CAM as primary cancer treatment.
Is CAM a substitute for medicine?
Surveys suggest the vast majority of consumers with medical conditions use CAM in addition to, rather than as a substitute for medicine – that is, it is truly “complementary”. But there is a smaller population that uses CAM as a true “alternative” to medicine.
When will the New England Journal of Medicine issue 2021 be released?
In the June 17, 2021 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine Dr. Erica …
Can you opt out of follow up on cancer?
Most patients who decide to opt-out of cancer treatment, also opt-out of any follow-up evaluation. So tracking down patients, and their outcomes, is essential. The effects of treatment refusals and delay, and the effectiveness of CAM as a substitute, has been evaluated in several groups of patients with breast cancer.
Is it reasonable to say no to palliative care?
Saying “ no” may also be reasonable where the benefits from treatment are expected to be modest, yet the adverse effects from treatments are substantial. These scenarios are not uncommon in the palliative care setting.
What to do after chemo?
Life after chemotherapy stops. Discuss any physical symptoms that you’re having as well as any emotions that are troubling you. Your oncologist might suggest you speak with a social worker or attend a support group with other people who are facing similar decisions. Remember, you are not alone in this.
What is the best treatment for breast cancer?
After you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, your oncologist may recommend many different treatments. Chemotherapy is among the treatment options available. For some, chemotherapy treatments may not kill the cancer cells, or the cells may return after a remission.
What happens when you reach the limit of care?
Accepting that you may have reached the limit in your care can cause more anger, sadness, and feelings of loss. Use this time to discuss your wishes with your family and friends. Think about how you want to spend time with them.
Can an oncologist tell you how much therapy is working?
No one can tell for sure how it will affect you.
Is cancer treatment effective the first time?
Cancer treatment is at its most effective the first time that it’s used.
Is it right or wrong to stop chemotherapy?
However, there’s no right or wrong decision. The best choice is whichever one you feel comfortable with, whether that’s continuing chemotherapy, exploring experimental treatments, or stopping treatment altogether.
Is radiation part of palliative care?
Medications and other treatments, such as radiation, are part of palliative care. You and your caregivers should talk with your oncologist about your needs in the upcoming months. You may decide to have a nurse come to your home for weekly care visits.
Can a new treatment plan make you feel better?
Different treatments can have different side effects, so a new treatment plan can often help you feel better. Of course, it may also have side effects of its own, which you should discuss with your doctor.
Can you change your schedule for cancer treatment?
It's important to remember, though, that the treatment may not work as well if you alter the schedule, even by a little bit . Always make sure your doctor knows about and supports any changes you'd like to make.
Can chemo cause low blood cells?
Sometimes, though, side effects can become too dangerous to keep up the treatment. Some chemo can cause very low levels of blood cells and raise your chance of having an infection. You could also have an allergic reaction to a specific drug. In these cases, your doctor might suggest spacing out your sessions or trying a different medication.
Can chemotherapy cause hair loss?
You have a bad reaction. Chemo can cause side effects -- vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, and more -- that can be hard to handle. If the treatment is your best chance at a cure, your doctor will probably strongly recommend you stick with it, even if it’s hard on you.
Can you switch chemo drugs before or after?
Your doctor planned the switch ahead of time. Sometimes your plan includes two different chemo drugs, one after the other. Your doctor will tell you about this early on so you’ll know when to expect it.
What parts of the body are affected by chemotherapy?
In general, chemotherapy damages cells that are dividing, so the parts of the body where normal cells divide frequently are likely to be affected by chemotherapy. The mouth, intestines, skin, hair, bone marrow (the spongy material that fills your bones and produces new blood cells) are commonly affected by chemotherapy.
What is chemocare.com?
Chemocare.com is designed to provide the latest information about chemotherapy to patients and their families, caregivers and friends. For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www.4thangel.org
What happens when cells divide?
To do this, the cells of all these body tissues must constantly divide to produce a steady supply of new cells. And when cells are dividing, chemotherapy drugs can attack them.
What to do if you are worried about side effects?
If you are worried about a side effect call your doctor or the contact at the center where your treatment is being given (make sure you have a phone number of who to call).
Does chemotherapy have side effects?
As with most drugs, chemotherapy drugs do have side effects. Side effects of chemotherapy are unwanted things that happen as a direct result of taking a drug. It is easy to confuse drug side effects with symptoms of cancer. Symptoms are the things that happen as a direct result of the cancer and have nothing to do with the drug.
Is chemotherapy bad for you?
Some side effects of chemotherapy are serious medical conditions that need to be treated. Some side effects are inconvenient or upsetting but are not damaging to your health. Discuss side effects with your health care team. If you are worried about a side effect call your doctor or the contact at the center where your treatment is being given ...
Is chemotherapy long term?
There are very few long term side effects of chemotherapy. Most are short-term. The side effects of chemotherapy can be unpleasant. But it can help to try to see the problems in relation to the benefits of the treatment. Chemotherapy does not cause side effects in everyone. It causes different reactions in different people.
Which organ is more important to check for chemotherapy?
Checking the kidneys and liver is more important with some drugs than others. For example, some chemotherapy drugs are known to affect the kidneys.
What does a chemo nurse check?
Your blood count. Your doctor or chemotherapy nurse regularly checks the effects of the chemotherapy on your blood and bone marrow. Throughout your treatment you’ll have blood tests to check: your white blood cell levels – known as white blood cell count. other blood cell levels – such as red blood cells and platelets.
Why doesn't my doctor scan me in the middle of my cancer treatment?
If your doctor doesn't suggest scanning you in the middle of your treatment, this is probably because there’ll be nothing much to see. It might be better to wait until the whole course of treatment is over and then see what’s happened.
Can chemotherapy affect kidneys?
But if it happens too often or if the chemotherapy is affecting your kidneys (for example), you may need to have lower doses of the drugs. It’s important not to think of this as a setback. Chemotherapy affects some people more than others, and doctors need to adjust the doses to take this into account.
Can you delay a treatment for a syphilis?
Your doctor will try to plan the treatment around any special requests you have. You may be able to delay a treatment to fit in with special occasions, such as a holiday or a family wedding. Tell your doctor about this in plenty of time and it may be possible.
Is chemo working after surgery?
Sometimes it can be difficult to assess whether chemotherapy is working. For example, if you’re having chemotherapy after surgery to remove cancer. This treatment aims to kill off any cancer cells that may have broken away before your operation. These cells are too small to see on scans.
What happens if cancer stops working?
Or maybe one type of cancer treatment has stopped working and the cancer has kept growing. If this happens, your doctor might say your cancer has advanced or progressed. There may or may not be other treatment options. But when many different treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling the cancer, it could be time to weigh ...
How to trust your doctor about cancer?
Trusting your cancer care team. Talking with your doctor and cancer care team, and trusting them to be honest, open, and supportive, is very important. You will have more confidence in treatment decisions if you trust the doctors making recommendations. This means communication is a key part of your care, from diagnosis throughout treatment ...
How to talk to your loved ones about cancer?
Talking with your loved ones. Be open with your loved ones about your cancer and the news you've been given. Explore their thoughts, feelings, and suggestions. Talk to them about the options you have been given, along with the decisions you have made or are thinking of making. If you feel you need their input, ask.
Is there hope for a life without cancer?
Staying hopeful. Your hope for a life without cancer might not be as bright, but there is still hope for good times with family and friends – times that are filled with happiness and meaning. Pausing at this time in your cancer treatment gives you a chance to refocus on the most important things in your life.
Can cancer shrink?
If you have cancer that keeps growing or comes back after one kind of treatment, it’s possible that another treatment might still help shrink the cancer, or at least keep it in check enough to help you live longer and feel better. Clinical trials also might offer chances to try newer treatments that could be helpful.
Can you get a second opinion on cancer?
When faced with deciding whether to continue cancer treatment, some patients or their loved ones may want to get a second opinion. Even when you place full trust in your doctor and cancer care team, you might wonder if another doctor could offer something else or more information. It's normal to think about talking to someone else, and your doctor should support you if you decide to get another opinion. Remember that your cancer care team wants you to be sure about the decisions you make. You can read more in Seeking a Second Opinion.
Does cancer stop working?
If Cancer Treatments Stop Working. Cancer treatments can help stop cancer from growing or spreading. But sometimes treatment does not work well or stops working. Maybe treatment ended a while ago and was successful at first, but cancer has come back. Or maybe one type of cancer treatment has stopped working and the cancer has kept growing.
What happens after cancer treatment?
A: We hear from many patients that the time after completing active cancer treatment is a time when they feel ‘unsettled’ and worry about an uncertain future. Some may even feel anxious about the possibility that the cancer could return and worry they may not be doing enough to catch any signs early enough. It is also important to note that many patients still have unpleasant symptoms related to their treatment for months or even years after treatment ends. Unfortunately, it is common for patients to experience fatigue, difficulty sleeping, problems with memory, persistent pain or tingling from neuropathy, and emotional distress.
What is the end of treatment summary?
A: Survivors can ask their oncologist for an end of treatment summary that outlines the original diagnosis, including the cancer type, stage, and the treatments received. These details will be important to future health care providers throughout their lifetime. This information should also clearly state the proposed schedule for follow-up visits and recommended scans and other testing to monitor the person's recovery, also called a "survivorship care plan."
How to deal with cancer fears?
Information and education are essential to regain some control. Sharing one’s fears and worries with loved ones, a support group, or seeking professional help can and will bring relief. It is normal to have many concerns after completing treatment for cancer and important to feel supported and accompanied in this journey.
Do cancer survivors want to give back?
Many cancer survivors want to give back, and you will find them volunteering or acting as advocates at cancer clinics and philanthropic organizations. It's also important to recognize that many cancer survivors face an uncertain future and feel unsettled.
Does cancer affect the family?
A: Cancer affects not just the individual who received the diagnosis, but the entire family unit . Caregivers and well-wishers help support a patient during cancer treatment, and their love, support, and worry will continue after treatment as well. This means they may also need their own emotional support during this time.
What is the end result of chemotherapy?
The end result means such protocols are moved through the FDA with quantities of sales pre-approved and guaranteed by Medicare. As a result, chemotherapy drugs are often miss-matched to the patient's actual tumor.
How effective is chemo for cancer?
When accepting new treatments, most patients are not aware that chemotherapy is just 2 percent effective in late stage cancers after a five year period. Despite the National Cancer Institute's forty years of scientific research (which now costs upwards of $4 billion annually), stage 3 and 4 chemotherapy-driven cancer treatments have not progressed ...
What does it mean when a cancer patient shrinks?
By and large cancer growth response, or "shrinkage," remains the primary focus of cancer treatment. Unfortunately, research demonstrates that such responses do not often correlate to elevated survival in patients. When traditional cancer treatment reports a 20 or 30 percent effect, it simply means that the patient's tumor shrunk by 20 to 30 percent.
Is chemo effective in late stage cancer?
Chemotherapy is Only 2% Effective in Late Stage Cancers. Many late stage cancer patients have endured unforgiving chemo treatment regimens only to realize minimal benefits, or worse, to discover their cancer was completely unresponsive. When accepting new treatments, most patients are not aware that chemotherapy is just 2 percent effective in late ...
Does chemo always deliver desired outcomes?
While we have discovered that chemotherapy does not always deliver desired outcomes, it should be pointed out that most chemotherapeutic drugs are not customized or matched to patient-specific cancer/tumor or biopsy. Instead, pharmaceutical drugs are developed to fit a model that promotes certain drug regimens for certain cancer types. Sadly, these Chemo-regimens are constructed through pharmaceutical sponsorship in partnership with prestigious cancer doctors and hospitals working together to politically position protocols as standards of care. The end result means such protocols are moved through the FDA with quantities of sales pre-approved and guaranteed by Medicare.
Is cancer treatment black and white?
When an oncologist explains whether or not a therapy is "working," the reality might not be so black and white. Such conventional cancer treatment protocols are laden with "let's wait and see language." In simple terms, if an individual lives five years or more from the beginning of treatment, than that treatment for cancer was considered a success, or that "it worked."
Can stage 4 cancer be treated with chemotherapy?
Many have been faced with the all-too-common dilemma that arises when the oncologist orders a standard regime of chemotherapy to treat their advanced or stage 4 cancers, even after chemotherapy had previously failed. Patients often feel that the course of treatment can be worse than the disease itself. What's more, there is seldom time to seek other specialized treatment options or to make a truly informed decision. Feeling rushed will likely amplify stress for the mind and body already overwhelmed by circumstance.
Who Uses Cam Instead of Medicine?
Effectiveness Evaluations
- The data show that avoiding or delaying conventional cancer care is associated with negative outcomes, and CAM used does not seem to modify this risk. But have any specific CAM interventions shown any benefit? Probably the most comprehensive single review is asystematic review by Gerber et al, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment in 2006, which looke…
Conclusion: Alternative Medicine Isn’T Real Medicine
- Despite widespread claims, there is no evidence to support the use of any CAM treatment as a replacement for conventional cancer care. As the studies in breast cancer show, delaying treatment or substituting CAM for conventional cancer care dramatically worsens outcomes.The results of these studies will hopefully provide patients and health providers with a better underst…
References
- 1. Verkooijen HM, Fioretta GM, Rapiti E, Bonnefoi H, Vlastos G, Kurtz J, Schaefer P, Sappino AP, Schubert H, & Bouchardy C (2005). Patients’ refusal of surgery strongly impairs breast cancer survival. Annals of surgery, 242 (2), 276-80 PMID: 16041219 2. Chang EY, Glissmeyer M, Tonnes S, Hudson T, & Johnson N (2006). Outcomes of breast cancer in patients who use alternative thera…