Dr. Mia Gottfried, director of the Oncology Institute at the Meir Medical Center of the Klalit Group, explains that there are now measures available to help alleviate some of the side effects associated with chemotherapy treatments. She notes that it is difficult to predict the exact type of cancer a patient may have, as highlighted in a message from Middleton. Dr. Gottfried also highlights that it is important to consider what treatments the patient has already undergone before proceeding with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy treatment for cancer can be used in conjunction with surgery to treat micrometastases and prevent disease recurrence. Alternatively, it can be used for patients in an advanced state of cancer. The effect of chemotherapy on the patient can vary depending on the individual case. Dr. Gottfried mentions that severe nausea, a common side effect in the past, is now less common due to the availability of effective medications to manage it.
Side effects of chemotherapy may include nausea, loss of appetite, metallic taste in the mouth, weakness, decreased blood count, and increased susceptibility to infections. Dr. Gottfried emphasizes that there are medications available to help with vomiting. Additionally, there is a cooling helmet that can help reduce hair loss during treatment, though it is not easy to use. Despite advancements in treatment, chemotherapy can still be a challenging process with various side effects that patients may experience.