Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses a range of drugs to treat cancer. If you are having chemotherapy, this information will help you understand how it works, what to expect during and after treatment, and how to manage side effects.

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What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Get an overview of how chemotherapy works and when it is used.

Common questions about chemotherapy

Find answers to questions such as how do I prepare for chemotherapy, why does it cause side effects and how much will it cost?

Having chemotherapy

Learn what to expect if you are having chemotherapy, how the treatment is given, and how you will know if it is working.

Chemotherapy safety

Keep family and friends safe while you are having chemotherapy with these simple safety measures.

Managing side effects

Find out about the common side effects of chemotherapy. We have practical tips for coping with fatigue, hair loss, nausea, mouth sores, brain fog and more.

Life after chemotherapy

How can you look after your physical and mental health once treatment is over?

Questions for your doctor Asking your doctor questions will help you make informed decisions. Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask.

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Treatment

Why do I need chemotherapy?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy for me?
How successful is chemotherapy for the type of cancer I have?
What is the goal of this chemotherapy?
Are there any other treatments I can have instead?
Will chemotherapy be my only treatment or will I have other treatments?
How much does treatment cost?
What drugs will I be receiving? How will they be given?
How often will I receive chemotherapy and for how long?
How will you decide the dosage?
Are there clinical guidelines you are following?
How will I know if the treatment is working?
Where will I have chemotherapy? Can I have it close to where I live?
Do my family and friends need to follow any safety measures?
Can I take my usual medications during chemotherapy?

Side effects

What are the risks and possible side effects of this type of chemotherapy?
Will any side effects be long term or short term?
What can I do to help manage any side effects?
Will chemotherapy affect my sex life and fertility?
Are there any complementary therapies that might help me?
Should I change my diet or physical activity during or after treatment?
Who should I contact for information or if I have a problem during treatment? Who is my after-hours contact?

After treatment

How often will I need check-ups after treatment?
Am I at risk of developing late effects from chemotherapy? What might these be? What can I do to prevent this?

Chemotherapy is the most common type of drug treatment for cancer. We have separate information on other cancer drug treatments. Read about immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy.

Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions

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