Chemotherapy in Sierra Vista, Arizona

Fighting Cancer Head-On

With more than 1.8 million people being diagnosed with cancer each year in the US alone, most people will be affected in some way by this condition throughout their lives. While a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, advances in treatment have made a significant difference. Modern chemotherapy has come a long way, helping many patients maintain a better quality of life while fighting cancer. If you’re looking for chemotherapy in Sierra Vista, the experienced team at Cochise Oncology is here to provide compassionate, personalized care every step of the way.

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a wide range of chemical treatments that are designed to combat the growth and spread of cancer. There are over 100 different chemotherapy treatments available on the modern market, all of which are designed to work with different types of cancer. This sort of treatment can come in the form of a pill or a liquid drip, and your chemotherapy doctor and care team will determine the most effective treatment for your individual diagnosis.

What Does Chemotherapy Treat?

Chemotherapy is primarily used to treat cancer by slowing cell growth and helping shrink or eliminate tumors. Alongside this, though, small doses of chemotherapy treatments will often be given to patients before they undergo bone marrow transplants or when they are living with conditions like lupus. An experienced chemotherapy oncologist will recommend the right treatment approach based on your unique medical needs.

How Does Chemotherapy Work?

You’ll receive your chemotherapy treatments in the comfort of our Sierra Vista facility. The Cochise Oncology team will work with you to ensure you have the most pleasant experience possible, so you can focus all your strength and attention on fighting cancer. Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly reproducing cells, stopping them from dividing, and even causing them to stop functioning entirely. This helps slow or stop the spread of cancer and may reduce the size of tumors. Chemotherapy isn’t picky, though, and this means that the cells in your hair, fingernails, and bone marrow could also end up being targeted. Your chemotherapy specialist will closely monitor your treatment and help manage any side effects throughout your care.

How Should I Prepare for My Chemotherapy Treatment?

Chemotherapy can have a heavy toll on your body, and it helps to be prepared before you get started. Being fit and active, maintaining a healthy diet, and drinking lots of water will all help to reduce the negative impact chemotherapy will have on your body. Your chemo doctor will also provide personalized recommendations based on your treatment plan, in order to help you through this process with as much support as possible.

How Long Will My Treatment Last?

The length of chemotherapy treatments varies, though it will usually be done in two to six-week cycles to give your body the chance to recover and enable your doctors to monitor the results. These scheduled breaks give your body time to recover while allowing your chemotherapy doctor to monitor your progress and adjust treatment if needed. Therapy may continue until your cancer has responded successfully, the treatment is no longer effective, or your care team recommends a different approach.

What are the Side Effects and How Can I Manage Them?

While modern chemotherapy treatments are much kinder to your body than those used in the past, there will still be some side-effects that come with medication like this. Our chemotherapy specialists will work with you to help minimize side effects and keep you as comfortable as possible. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying hydrated, and following your care team’s recommendations can also help. Some of the most common side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Hair Loss
• Bleeding & Bruising
• Infection
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Mood Swings
• Fertility Problems

Are There Any Dietary Restrictions While Receiving Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy can affect many aspects of your health, including how your body responds to certain foods. During treatment, your chemotherapy oncologist may recommend avoiding spicy foods, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and raw or undercooked meat to reduce the risk of complications. Following your care team’s dietary guidance can help support your overall health throughout treatment.