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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-03-28, Page 38HOPE Page 14 Chemotherapy destroys the growth of cancer cells The word chemotherapy is drived from the combination of "chemical" and - .,treatment'. It has come to mean the useef drugs ("chemotherapeutic agents") to destroy or control the growth of cancer cells. Drugs have been used in the treatment of cancer for the past 30 years or so. Currently there are over two dozen in use to treat different kinds of cancer. Angus MaeLennan, president of the Goderich Branch of the Canadian, Cancer Society; Roy Mugford, urban campaign chairman with the Goderich Branch; and Niel Farnsworth, rural campaign chairmanwith the Goderich Branch, look over last year's edition of HOPE. They met recently tq plan the April fund-raising campaign for the Goderich area. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) ItkdWiitthErapy fightsT cancer 'by killing cells BY JOANNE BUCHANAN Dianne Belfour, a registered radiation technologist with the London Regional Cancer Centre, spoke at a meeting of the Huron County Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society on Monday evening, March 19. Mrs. Belfour'.s. topic was "Radiotherapy.:_. Fact andFiction".-She elipiaiiied-that riiucli progress has been made over the last few years with regards to -radiation therapy for cancer treatment. "We do cure people," she emphasized. Radiation .therapy is the use of high- energy x-rays, electrons or' other forms of radiation, such as those from cobalt 60, in the treatment of human disease, especially cancer. There are many types of cancer, and they act in different ways. Because of such differences, there are many methods of treatment, including radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or combinations of those methods. Radiation cures cancer by killing abnormal cells; however, it can also damage normal cells. It is for this reason that planning of the treatment requires great skill and care. Mrs. Belfour explained that each patient receiving radiation therapy is assessed individually for treatment. The treatments must be planned so that as little as possible of the normal tissue is treated. She said that the majority of patients don't suffer side effects but those who do, can have them controlled with diet, medication and proper skin care. And while some side effects, such as . hair loss, can be devastating, it is important to remember that they are often just temporary. Mrs. Belfour said she and her colleagues Dianne Belfour at the London Regional Cancer Clinic see an average of about 150 patients per day for treatment. She explained that it is important to treat each . one like an individual and she said she . tries to remember little things about each person to make them feel special. Mrs. Belfour said the average number of radiotherapy treatments is 15 to 20 per person over'_period of three to four weeks. but she also explained that this clan vary greatly depending on the individual patient's problem. Mrs. Belfour has treated patients as young as three weeks old and as old as 105. WHEN CHEMOTHERAPY IS USED Today, ....chemot m_ar w. Qzi_ Qf-the, major T _ methods for treating" cancer. It may be used alone or in combination with other forms of treatment, primarily surgery or radiotherapy. The best form of therapy and the best drug are selected individually for each person. In some cases, chemotherapy is the treatment - of choice, and is considered curative in a few cancers. In others, chemotherapy may keep the cancer under control for months or years. By choosing to take this form of therapy, a cancer patient chooses the opportunity to aid the length and quality of his or her own life. The benefits of chemotherapy vary from patient to patient and only the doctor can decidehow best to treat each individual: HOW CHEMOTHERAPY WORKS Cancer cells are cells growing out of a body's control and one of their characteristics is that they multiply rapidly. Rapidly multiplying cells are more vulnerable to drug effects, and cancer cells will be more severely affected by them than will most normal cells. Chemotherapeutic agents work by destroying cancer cells outright, by interfering with their ability to divide (reproduce), or in some cases by successfully mimicking normal nutrients .and...in effect _starving .the ...cancer.__cell to . death. Unfortunately, some . normal cells .4tC rapidly multiplying also, andmost anticancer drugs will affect these cells as well. Cells that may be affected include those of the bone marrow (red and white blood cells and platelets), the mouth, stomach, intestines, the reproductive system, and. the hair follicle. Effects on these organ systems are responsible for most of the toxic side reactions of these drugs. Such ,cells, however, have a remarkable capacity, to regenerate and return to normal, and the toxic effects of the drugs usually last only a relatively short time. • HOW THE DRUGS ARE GIVEN The way cancer patients on chemotherapy receive their drug or drugs will depend on the kind of drug prescribed to them. Generally, chemotherapeutic agents are given three ways: a) by mouth, b) by injection into a muscle (a shot), or, c) by injection into a vein (some drugs given intravenously are mixed with fluid and allowed to drip inslowly, others are given within a period of a dew minutes). Patients may be given 'one drug, or several at the same time, or different drugs at different times. PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH CHEMOTHERAPY Usually there is no. significantMin - associated with -the injection of anticancer drugs other than the sting of the injection itself. A very few drugs can cause a burning pain and -or itching sensation when given intravenously. In all cases, any pain or unusual sensations should be reported promptly so the cause can be checked and corrected. LENGTH OF TREATMENT How long and -or how often one receives medication will depend on a number of things: the type of cancer, the kind of drug or drugs used to treat it, how long the body takes to respond to the drugs and how well the body tolerates them in terms of side effects. Medications are given at varying intervals, usually with rest periods in between. Very generally speaking, duration of treatment may be from three, months to two years. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS / All drugs used in chemotherapy have been known to cause side effects. Some patients have no side effects whatsoever, othershave only a few. Whether or rotyotj-experitfeiice—__--- these reactions is a very individual matter, andhas nothing to do with how well the drug is working in combating the cancer. Almost all of the side effects are temporary. Gastrointestinal effects --The gastrointestinal tract is lined with -fast- growing cells that are very sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, nausea and vomiting are side effects that might be experienced. They usually happen only during the first few hours_ after a treatment. Constipation and -or diarrhea are .. much less common reactions to some drags and - medication can be taken to alleviate them. . Finally,some people develop stomatitis, -- which -is soreness and ulceration of the lining of the mouth. This problem will last only a few days. •, Muscle and nerve effects -Weakness and lethargy (tiredness) sometimes occur. They may be associated with anemia, but are also direct effects of some drugs on the muscles themselves. Occasionally, numbness and -or tingling or burning in the hands and feet are observed. -These effects, however, are only temporary in most cases. Bone marrow effects -Blood' cells are produced in the bone marrow. , White cells combat infection, red cells carry oxygen to cells, and platelets help to clot blood. These cells are among those rapidly dividing cells that are most senstive to the effects of anticancer drugs. All drug effects on bone 'narrow are temporary, and transfusions are available to counteract reductions in these cells, but it is important to be aware of possible symptoms of bone marrow suppression so they can be reported to the doctor immediately. Blood samples will also be taken frequently to monitor the effects of the dings on bone marrow. Symptoms to be on the lookout for are as follows: Turn to page 15 This information is brought to you with the kind co-operation of the following: WHITNEY-RIBEY FUNERAL HOME Agents for Stratford Memorials • 527-1390 87 Goderich St. West Seaforth fine markets... of fine foods zehn- Lukes Machine Shop 40 Birch St., Seaforth, Ontario Bus. 519-527-1080 Phones Res. 519-527-0134 Repairs & Fabrications Stoneforks — Bean Pullers — Grain, Buggies — Large Capacity Material Buckets A SI LLS HOME HARDWARE Quality Goods with QualltyService 527-1620 69 Main St. Seaforth WAYNE AND HAROLD SMITH CONSTRUCTION LTD. COMMERCIAL,, INDUSTRIAL„ PRE-ENGINEERED STEEL. BOX 809 SEAFORTH, ONT. Bus. 527-1079 Wayne Res. 262-2121 Harold Res. 5271421 Established 1876 McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY Full Coverage Farm & Urban Properties Phone 527-0400 91 MAIN ST., SEAFORTH