Chemotherapy is a treatment method that uses powerful medicines to kill the growth of cancer cells. It is sometimes used in combination with other treatments, like radiation therapy or surgery, and sometimes as a sole treatment. Chemotherapy benefits only if followed consistently. Dr. Joydeep Ghosh, a leading medical oncologist, explains why every chemotherapy session is important.
What happens if you skip a chemo treatment?
Chemotherapy is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer, designed to target and destroy cancer cells. However, its effectiveness depends on sticking to a carefully planned schedule. Missing chemotherapy cycles can significantly impact your treatment’s success and overall health. Here’s why you must prioritize every scheduled chemotherapy session.
Reduced efficiency
The chemotherapy cycle is designed to deliver a specific dose of medication. Delaying the session disrupts this carefully calculated plan, reducing the drug’s ability to kill cancer cells effectively. Consistency ensures that the treatment is working optimally and that the cancer cells are continuously exposed to the drugs.
Drug resistance
One of the major reason why you should not skip a chemo session is the abilty of the cancerous cells to become resisteant to the medicines. Cancer cells can adapt and become resistant to chemotherapy drugs if they are not exposed consistently. This resistance can make the treatment less effective. Sticking to your schedule helps prevent resistance and maintains the drugs’ effectiveness.
Side effects
Chemotherapy side effects can become unmanageable if not followed consistently. The treatment schedule is designed to balance effectiveness with tolerable side effects. Chemotherapy benefits only if you stick to the schedule.
Psychological impact
Not adhering to your chemotherapy session can lead to a significant impact on psychological and emotional well-being. As you persistently follow your session, you become more positive and gain the confidence to recover. However, missed sessions not only lead to other side effects but even can be a cause of stress and hopelessness.
Decreased quality of life
Chemotherapy’s side effects include hair loss, tiredness, nausea, and loss of appetite. These are some common side effects that last for a short period of time. However, with delayed sessions, these side effects last longer, thereby increasing the complications.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider?
A cancer doctor, called an oncologist, specializes in treating patients who suffer from cancer. There are three types of oncologists: Medical Oncologists, Surgical Oncologists and radiation oncologists.
A medical oncology doctor specializes in using chemotherapy and prescribing drugs for treatment. A surgical oncologist performs surgery to destroy cancer cells. A radiation oncologist uses radiation therapy ( targeting cancer cells with the use of beams of energy to shrink the growth of tumours).
If you might have missed any sessions, contacting your medical oncologist is crucial to understanding what can be done to prevent complications.
Conclusion
Maintaining your chemotherapy schedule is crucial for your treatment’s effectiveness and overall health. Consistency ensures that chemotherapy benefits you, gives your body the best chance to fight cancer and minimizes risks associated with missed doses.