Cancer treatment chemotherapy

Share your comments and feedback about ByMySide

Register for the By My Side™ Cancer Support Network

Find out more about chemotherapy and different side effects associated with chemotherapy...

Remember—there's no such thing as a dumb question. Don't be afraid to ask anything that's on your mind. And if you can't keep track of all the information yourself, ask for help. Rely on family, friends, and your support team to help you remember the questions to ask and their answers.

We suggest printing out the questions below and taking them directly to your doctor and nurse, so you can talk about the answers together.

What should I ask about my cancer treatment?
	What are my treatment options, and which is considered the best for my cancer?
	Is the goal to cure my cancer or stop it from growing?
	What personal goal should I be working toward? Cure? Remission? Comfort?
	How long will I receive treatment, how often, and where?
	How will it be given?
	How will I know if the treatment is working?
	How might a disruption in my chemotherapy dose or timing affect my results?
	How and when will we be able to tell whether the treatment is working?
	What research studies ("clinical trials") are available? Are any right for me?
	Can I talk with another of your patients who has received this treatment?

What should I ask about the possible side effects of chemotherapy?
	What possible side effects should I prepare for?
	When might they start?
	Will they get better or worse as my treatment goes along?
	How can I prepare for them or lessen their impact?
	Are there treatments that can help relieve the side effects? What are they? Do you usually recommend or prescribe them?
	Which risks are most serious?
	How can I best monitor myself for complications related to either my disease or my treatment?

What happens after I complete my chemotherapy?
	How can I best continue to monitor myself for complications related to either my disease or my treatment?
	What kind of lab tests will I need? How frequently should I get those lab tests?
	What types of x-rays and scans will I need?
	How often do I need to come in for checkups?
	When will you know if I am cured?
	What happens if my disease comes back?

	Continue to Talk About Infection Protection


	Neulasta^® (pegfilgrastim) is prescribed to reduce the risk of infection (initially marked by fever) in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy that decreases the number of infection-fighting white blood cells. Important product safety information Ruptured spleen (including fatal cases), serious allergic reactions, and a serious lung problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome have been reported. Call your doctor or seek emergency care right away if you have abdominal or shoulder tip pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, a fast rate of breathing, or any allergic reaction. The most common side effect of this injection is mild to moderate bone pain. If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. By My Side™ - Caregiver Resource. ^® 2008 Amgen All rights reserved. Amgen.com \| Neulasta.com \| Neupogen.com \| Vectibix.com Terms of Use \| Privacy Statement \| Site Map