11 Common Chemotherapy Myths and the Facts

Among cancer treatments, chemotherapy is the subject of much information heard from others, circulating online and on social media or appearing on television. Distinguishing truth from falsehood is very difficult for patients with cancer and their relatives. Unfortunately, most of this information is incorrect. In this article, we have brought together the 11 most commonly heard and important misconceptions, using scientific sources.

1-My doctor said I need to start chemotherapy; I am probably nearing the end of my life.

Thirty years ago, receiving a chemotherapy session generally meant that your health was very poor. This is not the case today, because chemotherapy is frequently used as adjuvant (preventive) treatment; in other words, it is given after primary treatment such as surgery and / or radiation therapy to prevent cancer from returning.

2. I will have to spend a lot of time in hospital, making my life very difficult.

Chemotherapy medicines are now administered in many different ways depending on the patient’s condition and needs. Most chemotherapy is given intravenously through a needle or catheter. Sometimes chemotherapy medicines can be given in pill or liquid form that you can take very easily at home.

- What is chemotherapy in brief, and how is it given? Why is chemotherapy necessary?

3. I will be ill and nauseated for a long time.

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects, but not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Talk to your doctors about any nausea, vomiting or pain you experience. They can adjust your treatment regimens with these symptoms in mind and relieve them.

- Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting can be prevented! Causes and treatment

4. If I experience no side effects, chemotherapy probably is not working.

Because cancer treatments can be very difficult for some people, patients may think they cannot recover without suffering. Why some patients receiving the same treatment experience fewer side effects is not fully understood. Not experiencing side effects does not mean your treatment is not working.

5. There is only one type of chemotherapy, and it can treat every type of cancer.

Many people think every cancer type can be treated with the same chemotherapy medicine, but this is not the case. Different types of medicines target different cancer types and work in different ways. Some of their goals are to destroy cancer cells, shrink tumors and relieve cancer-related symptoms. These medicines can be given before, after or together with other treatments.

6. All my hair will fall out.

Not all chemotherapy medicines cause hair loss. However, for patients who lose hair, most hair has grown back approximately 3 months after chemotherapy is completed. In some cases, regrowth begins even before treatment ends.

- Chemotherapy-related hair loss can be prevented: The Dignicap scalp cooling system has received FDA approval

7. Developing cancer is fate, and nobody can change it.

This is a belief, but receiving medical cancer treatment may be the most important thing that saves your life. Treatment methods can change the course of disease, save lives or prolong life.

- WHAT IS CANCER? Why and how does it develop? The whole process in brief!

8. Chemotherapy may cause a serious, life-threatening infection.

Serious infections are no longer common among patients receiving chemotherapy, because chemotherapy treatments are now administered in a much more controlled manner, and if leukopenia is expected to develop, preventive injections can be given.

9. I will not be able to have children after chemotherapy.

It is quite normal for people receiving chemotherapy to worry about having children. There are ways to address this. For example, women can preserve their eggs and men their sperm for future use as doctors deem appropriate. If having children after treatment is important to you, you can discuss your reproductive options with a specialist before starting chemotherapy.

- Women who have survived cancer have a one-third lower chance of pregnancy - but

10. Chemotherapy treatment will make me feel much worse than coping with cancer.

When comparing the advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy with untreated cancer, chemotherapy should definitely be supported. Many studies testing chemotherapy generally show longer survival, reduced disease-related symptoms and improved quality of life.

- QUALITY OF LIFE in a patient with cancer

11. If I maintain my positive attitude and normal routine, I will feel well.

Having a positive attitude is important, but the factors causing physical side effects depend on your genetic makeup and how your body processes medicines. The power of thought may therefore have little effect on this. In the future, personalized treatments are expected to allow more successful treatment with fewer symptoms.

- Does a positive attitude affect survival in people with breast cancer?