The drugs used for chemotherapy come in different forms. For the treatment of breast cancer, they can be given intravenously (through a vein) or by mouth.
Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy treatment
Most often, chemotherapy is given through a vein using a thin needle. Ports can also be used to help make chemotherapy administration easier. Inserted below the skin of the chest or upper arm, this small plastic or metal device allows medication to enter the main blood supply of the heart and eliminates multiple needle sticks with each chemotherapy session. Ports are intended for long-term use and generally don’t require much care other than keeping the area clean and dry and looking for redness or swelling, which may indicate an infection.
Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy is usually given in an outpatient clinic or in a drug infusion center. It can take several minutes to several hours to administer, depending on the type of medication used.
Oral treatment
Some forms of chemo can be given as a pill or capsule. They are swallowed just like many other types of medication. The doctor will explain to you how your medication should be taken, but it is your responsibility to stick to the schedule your doctor has given you. Some women may not be candidates for oral chemotherapy treatment if they experience severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea while on treatment.
Single or combination chemo
Although a single chemotherapy drug can be used to treat cancer, some work better when used along with other cancer drugs. This is called combination chemotherapy. When used in combination, drugs with different actions work together to destroy more cancer cells and reduce the chance that you may become resistant to a certain chemotherapy drug. You and your doctor will decide on the chemotherapy treatment that’s right for you, depending on the stage of your cancer and how it is affecting your overall health and functioning.
Chemo treatment schedules
Regardless of the type of chemo you and your doctor decide is right for you, it will usually be given in cycles—some weeks you will receive treatment, other weeks you will not. During the weeks you are "on" treatment, you will receive chemo. The weeks you don’t receive chemo are needed for your body to rest so that it can generate new healthy cells. Work with your doctor to determine which chemo treatment schedule is best for your overall health and lifestyle.
Treatment schedules for chemotherapy may vary. A number of factors determine how often and how long you will get chemo:
- The type and stage of cancer you have
- Whether chemo is being used to:
- Prevent cancer from returning
- Control the spread of cancer
- Alleviate its symptoms
- The type of chemo you are getting
- How your body responds to the chemo
Sometimes it may be difficult to keep track of your chemotherapy treatment schedules. Occasionally your doctor may change your treatment schedule because of chemo-related side effects. He or she will tell you what to expect and when to begin treatment again. It’s important to adhere to the treatment schedule provided by your doctor in order for the chemo to be effective.