Health ShortsChemotherapy
Chemo May Affect Cognitive Functions
One of the most troubling side effects of cancer chemotherapy is "chemobrain"-usually subtle effects on memory, attention span, concentration and other cognitive functions. Chemobrain is associated with all types of cancer and affects patients regardless of age, sex or race. It is dose-related, however. About 32 percent of patients getting high-dose chemotherapy-but only 17 percent of those treated with a standard dose-reported symptoms. Other factors contributing to the impairments include stress, anemia, fatigue, menopause and non-chemotherapy medications such as opiates and anti-nausea drugs. Patients are advised to use behavioral techniques and memory aids to compensate for the deficits.
[SOURCE: Bridget M. Coyne and Marjorie L. Leslie, "Chemo's Toll on Memory," RN, April, 2004] Club Soda with Lime Reduces Nausea
To reduce the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, some doctors recommend that patients drink club soda with a dash of lemon or lime about an hour before meals. Tonic water and 7-Up do not have the same effect because of their sweetness.
[SOURCE: Emily Wing Rogers, "Relief for Nausea of Chemotherapy," Consultant, July, 2004] New Test Identifies Breast Cancer Patients Who Can Skip Chemo
Most women with an estrogen-dependent kind of breast cancer have traditionally been treated with surgery followed by chemotherapy, even if there's no evidence the cancer has spread. A new genetic test, however, is capable of telling doctors which patients can safely be treated with surgery plus tamoxifen, a drug which has very few adverse side effects compared to standard chemotherapy. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the test may allow about 25,000 women a year to escape the harmful short- and long-term side effects of standard chemotherapy.
[SOURCE: Soonmyung Paik, et al, NEJM, December, 2004; Maggie Fox, Test Shows Who Needs Chemo for Cancer," Yahoo News, December 11, 2004] | ArchiveAIDS & HIV |
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