Dr Mishil Parikh’s Post

Depending on the type and stage of #sarcoma, chemotherapy may be given as the main treatment or as an adjuvant (addition) to surgery. However, when it comes to #Chemotherapy, there are so many unproven #myths that it can be very difficult to sort out the #facts from the #fiction. Today we will take a look at a few of the common misconceptions about Chemotherapy and the truth behind these #myths. Myth 1: Chemotherapy will make me sick. Fact: While that used to be the case, patients can now take medicines before chemotherapy to prevent side effects like #nausea and #vomiting. On average only one or two out of 150 patients experience nausea. And those who do usually only have it for a short period of time. Myth 2: I will lose all my hair. Fact: Not every chemotherapy drug causes #HairLoss and some only cause hair thinning. It depends on the type of #chemo you get as well as the combination of drugs. Most chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells in the body, like those in the hair follicle. But sometimes, patients can take targeted medicines that influence specific cells. With these drugs, the hair is rarely affected. For patients at risk of losing their hair, scalp cooling may help. During this innovative procedure, the patient is fitted with a special cold cap that diminishes blood flow to the scalp, theoretically reducing the amount of chemo that comes in contact with hair follicles. Your doctor can tell you if you would be a good candidate for scalp cooling. It is important to note, however, that the cap must be worn for hours at a time. Myth 3: My life will be drastically interrupted while I have chemo. Fact: Absolutely not. Many people go to work every single day. They may have a day or two when they are not feeling their greatest, but that could happen to anyone. Myth 4: I will not be able to have children after chemo. Fact: Every effort is made to spare a patient’s fertility. Men can bank and/or freeze their sperm. Women can freeze their eggs or take medications that suppress ovarian function during treatment. Many women go on after chemotherapy to have safe pregnancies and healthy children. For consultation with an #OrthopaedicOncologist, please call on ph 022 3547 5757 or click on the link https://buff.ly/3U7tfmT

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