Chemotherapy is the use of medications to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing. Because chemotherapy does not distinguish between breast cancer cells and healthy cells in the patient, it usually causes side effects such as hair loss or nausea.
Chemotherapy is usually administered intravenously (via injection). Although some patients may be given oral chemotherapy depending on their clinical status, stage, and goals of treatment. The treatment is given in cycles, with a rest period between cycles that allows the patient enough time to restore bodily functions and then be treated again.
Image under license from shutterstock.com, accessed July 2024.
References:
- Hong Kong Cancer Fund. Breast Cancer Booklet. Available at https://www.cancer-fund.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Breast-Cancer-Pdf-2010E.pdf Accessed in July 2024.
- Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. Chemotherapy. Available at https://www.hkbcf.org/en/breast_cancer/main/92/, accessed in July 2024.
- Hospital Authority Smart Patient Website. Breast Cancer. Available at https://www21.ha.org.hk/smartpatient/SPW/en-US/Disease-Information/Disease/?guid=bc5c075d-d161-4abc-9b1b-1b1ca15d6947, accessed in July 2024.