When people are diagnosed with cancer, it is a frightening time for them and their families. Their medical teams will work with them to meet not only their medical needs, but their emotional needs, as well. Each patient's case is different and each person responds to treatment differently, making cancer treatment an individual journey.
Types of Treatment
Cancer treatment has come a long way over the years, with increased survival rates. The most common treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Many patients will have a combination of these treatments. Chemotherapy and radiation work to kill the cancer cells in the body while surgery is used to remove the tumor. According to the National Cancer Institute, other treatments may include bone marrow transplants, biological therapy, gene therapy, using heat therapies and lasers to treat cancer.
Side Effects of Treatment
Radiation and chemotherapy have the most side effects but not every patient will experience all of these side effects. Radiation therapy can have side effects including skin changes where the radiation is administered, fatigue, changes in appetite and diarrhea. According to the National Cancer Institute, chemotherapy side effects include fatigue, vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, bleeding problems, hair loss, mouth sores, sexual and fertility changes in both men and women, swelling, skin and nail changes.
Nutrition
The cancer and the treatment can affect a person's appetite and some patients may find that their bodies cannot handle certain foods. Eating healthy foods will help patients feel better and may help them recovery faster from treatments. According to the American Cancer Society, eating high protein and high calorie foods will provide the patient's body with the essential nutrients needed to help the body through treatments. Patients should eat every few hours, eat their favorite foods or what appeals to them and take a walk before a meal to increase the appetite.
Emotional Support
Patients who have cancer and are undergoing cancer treatments may become depressed and show signs of anxiety. According to the National Cancer Institute, some cancer treatment may also cause memory and cognitive disorders. Even once patients have survived cancer, patients may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Counseling and medications may be given to patients to help to improve their mental health. Patients who are receiving palliative care or hospice care will receive specific emotional and spiritual support.
Daily Living
Patients undergoing cancer treatment will be going to the hospital or cancer center for their treatments. How often they will receive their treatments and for how long will depend on the type and stage of the cancer. This will affect how they live their lives. Most cancer patients will have to take off from work or school while receiving treatments and for recovery. There is no set amount of time that the patient will have to take off; it will depend on the patient's health. Some patients will have to be hospitalized, while other will be able to recover at home.
