Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of medical treatment that uses medicines to kill cancer cells. It can be used to cure, slow the growth of, or relieve symptoms caused by cancer. Chemotherapy can be administered through a vein in the arm, or taken by mouth. The treatment is typically administered in cycles, with each cycle consisting of a certain number of days of treatment followed by a period of rest to allow the body to recover.
Your personalised chemotherapy treatment plan will be formulated in accordance with evidenced based cancer treatment protocols, endorsed by the Australian guidelines. To read more about treatment protocol information, eviQ link
Chemotherapy can have side effects such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, etc. But not all patients have the same side effects and not all of them will be severe, it depends on the type of drugs, the dosages, and the individual’s body. There are also many ways to manage side effects and keep them at a minimum, and you will have a support team that will help you through the treatment. To read more about side effects click on this link to eviQ
It’s important for you to know that this treatment is designed to help you and your medical team will closely monitor the progress of your treatment and adjust it if necessary to make sure that you’re receiving the best possible care.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that helps the body’s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It works differently from chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which directly targets cancer cells. It is usually given as an IV medication, and the treatment regimen will be determined by the type of cancer and the stage of the disease. It is often given with chemotherapy.
This treatment is now utilised in many cancer types and the goal is to improve your quality of life and potentially to slow or stop the growth of the cancer. It’s important to note that immunotherapy is not a one-size-fits-all treatment, and all patients respond differently. Research is ongoing to broaden the availability of immunotherapy to more patients.
Targeted Therapy
A targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that specifically targets the genes or proteins that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
The drugs work in a more focused way than chemotherapy and often have fewer side effects. It is important to note that targeted therapy is not suitable for all cancer types.
Targeted therapies need to be matched to specific mutations in cancer cells. This often requires additional pathology testing and is important in deciding on the best treatment for you.
Hormonal Therapy
Some cancers are hormone sensitive and hormonal therapy is a way of treating these types of cancers. Hormonal therapy can slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells, shrink tumours and help reduce symptoms. This therapy is often taken in a pill form or an injection.
Your oncologist will be able to discuss the benefits and risks of this form of treatment with you.
