Cancer treatment counselling

Question 1

surgery summary

Answer 1

removes entire organ

chemo & radio in combo

Question 2

chemo action, SEs

Answer 2

damage DNA cancer cells (& some healthy ones)

SEs N/V // hair loss // fatigue - often stop when tx stops

safety net for infection - can weaken immune system

Question 3

radio action & SEs

Answer 3

radiation to kill cancer cells

SEs tiredness // nausea // loss appetite // hair loss // sore skin // reduced libido

SEs may persist after tx

Question 4

hormonal action & SEs

Answer 4

breast & prostate cancer cells hormones blockage –> killed

SEs hot flushes // sweats // reduced libido // N/V // tiredness // aches // rashes

Question 5

monoclonal antibody/immunotherapy action & SEs

Answer 5

direct tx to cancerous cells

SEs N/V // skin rashes // flu like symptoms // itchy skin // diarrhoea

allergy in some people