CANCER is often treated with chemotherapy – a group of drugs used to destroy cancerous cells – but it comes with several side-effects.
Chemotherapy makes radiotherapy effective, relieves symptoms if a cure isn’t possible and reduce the risk of cancer coming back after radiotherapy or surgery.
There are two main types of chemotherapy- Intravenous
chemotherapy involves treatment via the vein. It is usually performed at hospital with medicine being given via a tube.
Oral chemotherapy is a tablets for treating cancer, it can kill cancer cells and healthy cells- particularly blood cells, skin cells and cells in the stomach.
Chemotherapy for brain cancer can kill some healthy brain cells, causing depression. Chemotherapy targets cells which are fast-growing – like cancer – but this also affect hair, bone marrow, skin and lining of digestive system.
Most of these will disappear after treatment, normal cells can replace or repair the damaged ones, and some might occur when taking the drugs.