FOLFOX chemotherapy guide - Andornot

FOLFOX chemotherapy guide

For patients with colorectal cancer

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Table of contents

Your health care team ....................................... 3 What is chemotherapy? ..................................... 4 What should I discuss with my doctor before starting chemotherapy? ..................................... 5 What is FOLFOX? ............................................. 9 How should I prepare for treatment?................ 10 What will happen on the day of my treatment? 11 What are the common side effects of FOLFOX treatment? ....................................................... 13 How do I manage common side effects? ......... 14 Where can I get support?................................. 29

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Your health care team Oncologist: _______________________________ Pharmacist: _______________________________ Nurse: _______________________________ Dietitian: _______________________________ Social worker: _______________________________ Medical Day Care: 416-864-5222 2 Donnelly Nursing Unit: 416-864-5099

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What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy can be a single drug or it can be a few types of drugs at the same time. When used alone or along with surgery or radiation therapy, chemotherapy can often shrink a tumour or prevent its spread.

How does it work?

Chemotherapy kills cells that grow quickly. This is why it kills cancer cells. But it also affects healthy cells that grow fast. This includes cells in the mouth and stomach lining, bone marrow, skin and hair. This is why patients having chemotherapy treatment may get side effects such as hair loss, nausea and low blood cell counts.

As a rule, chemotherapy is given in cycles of treatment. There is a time of no treatment between cycles. This lets normal cells recover before the next cycle begins.

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What should I discuss with my doctor before starting chemotherapy?

Your health history Tell your oncologist about any other health problems you have or had. Some health problems may affect the outcomes with this treatment. Tell other healthcare professionals you are seeing about the type of chemotherapy you are having.

Vaccines, surgery and dental work You should have all your dental work done before you start your treatment. Check with your oncologist before you have any vaccines, surgery or dental treatment.

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