Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of anti-cancer treatment used to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy works by either killing the cancer cells directly or by stopping their ability to divide and grow. Most chemotherapy drugs are carried in the blood. This means that they can reach cancer cells anywhere in the body. You will sometimes hear chemotherapy referred to as a systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT). 

The chemotherapy drugs you are given will depend on the type of cancer that you have. This is because different cancers respond to different chemotherapy medication. You will have had tests taken during diagnosis that will help guide your consultant as to the treatment that will work best for you. Whilst there are many different types of chemotherapy medication, they all work in much the same way. You may be treated with one medicine (monotherapy) or with a combination of medicines (combination therapy). There are several ways in which chemotherapy medication can be given, including tablets, an injection in to the skin (SC) and injections directly into a vein (IV).

The team caring for you will help come up with a treatment plan for your specific circumstances. Chemotherapy is given in ‘cycles’. A cycle is made up of both treatment and rest periods and can vary in length. Rest periods allow your body to recover from any side effects that you may experience. Day one of your cycle is the day you receive treatment. At the end of the cycle (this could be up to day 28) you will be seen by your doctor or nurse. After you have been seen in clinic your cycle will start again.