Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of drug treatment offered to some people with cancer. If you are having targeted therapy, this information will help you understand how it works, why it is different to chemotherapy and what to expect after you have it.
Ask your specialist questions, especially if you’re unsure about your treatment. A cancer care coordinator or nurse can also help. To stay organised, consider making a list of questions before your appointments, including these:
- Is targeted therapy available as part of my treatment plan? If not, why not?
- Which targeted therapy drug are you recommending? Does it have different names?
- Will it be my only treatment, or will I also have other treatments?
- How much will targeted therapy cost? Is there any way to reduce the cost if I can’t afford it?
- Are there any clinical trials that would give me access to new types of targeted therapy?
- How often am I likely to have targeted therapy?
- How long will I receive targeted therapy?
- Where will I have targeted therapy? Will I need to come to the hospital or treatment centre for an IV infusion or injection, or will I be taking tablets or capsules at home?
- If I am taking the treatment at home, can I get the prescription filled at any pharmacy?
- What should I do if the pharmacy cannot fill my prescription?
- Do I have to be careful with over-the-counter medicines or supplements? What food/drinks should I avoid while taking targeted therapy?
- What should I do if I forget to take the targeted therapy drug?
- What side effects should I watch out for or report?
- Who do I contact if I get side effects?
- How can side effects be managed?
- Will the drugs affect my immune system?
- Can I still have vaccinations?
Need to talk?
A/Prof Rohit Joshi, Medical Oncologist, Calvary Central Districts and Lyell McEwin Hospital, and Director, Cancer Research SA; Jenny Gilchrist, Nurse Practitioner – Breast Oncology, Macquarie University Hospital, NSW; Jon Graftdyk, Consumer; Sinead Hanley, Consumer; Lisa Hann, 13 11 20 Consultant, SA; Dr Malinda Itchins, Thoracic Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Gay Refeld, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Care, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, WA; Prof Benjamin Solomon, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Helen Westman, Lung Cancer Nurse Consultant, Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW
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