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Contents Foreword Part 1: Cancer and Cancer Treatment Questions 1-15 describe cancer and various cancer treatments, including: * What is cancer? * Why does cancer cause symptoms? * What are the treatments for cancer? Part 2: Getting Information and Making Decisions Questions 16-24 discuss strategies for making informed decisions about treatment, including: * How can I be sure to get the information I want from my doctor? * How can I find a clinical trial that might be appropriate for me? * How can I find out about complementary or alternative therapies? Part 3. Comfort, Activity, and Sleep Questions 25-34 discuss options for improving your comfort and quality of life during treatment: * Will I have pain? What are the options available to treat my pain? * What can I do about the side effects I get from my pain medication? * I feel tired much of the time. What can I do to increase my energy? * I have difficulty sleeping at night. What can I do to sleep better and feel more rested? Part 4. Preventing Infection and Skin Problems Questions 35-45 address common concerns about avoiding infection and caring for your skin and hair, including: * I have heard that chemotherapy may cause drops in my blood counts. What does this mean? * I have heard that radiation therapy causes a skin reaction. Is this true? How should I care for my skin during radiation therapy? * I have heard that chemotherapy may cause me to lose my hair. Can I prevent this? What can I do to feel good about my appearance if I lose my hair? Part 5. Problems with Breathing, Nutrition, Digestion, and Urination Questions 46-61 discuss ways to cope with effects of treatment on breathing, nutrition, digestion, and elimination, including: * I feel short of breath. What can I do to ease my breathing? * What can I do to increase my appetite and maintain my weight? * I have heard that radiation therapy or chemotherapy may cause nausea and vomiting. What can I do to manage these symptoms? * What can I do to manage constipation? * What can I do for incontinence? Part 6. Appearance and Sexual Issues Questions 62-69 discuss changes in personal appearance and sexual health brought on by cancer treatment, such as: * I have gained weight from my cancer treatment. What can I do to lose weight? * I have developed menopause from my treatment. How can I manage the symptoms? * I am not able to get or maintain an erection since my treatment. How can this be treated? Part 7. Neurologic Problems, Fluid Retention, and Blood Chemistry Questions 70-81 describe problems related to nerves, blood and blood vessels, and fluid buildup, including: * What is peripheral neuropathy and how is this managed? * What is cerebral edema? How is this managed? * Why are my legs swollen? What can I do to minimize this? * What is a pleural effusion? How is this treated? * I have heard that some people can get diabetes from their treatment. How is this diagnosed and treated? Part 8. Other Health-Related Issues Questions 82-87 address other health concerns not directly related to the cancer symptoms or treatment side effects, such as: * I get a flu shot every year. Should I get one now that I am getting treated for cancer? * Is it safe for me to be around children who have recently received a vaccine? * Should I follow up with my regular doctors while I am getting treated for cancer? Part 9. Emotional and Social Concerns Questions 88-100 address emotional effects, social impacts, and caretaker concerns regarding cancer and cancer treatment, including: * How can I better cope with having cancer? * I have completed treatment and my doctor tells me there is no evidence of cancer. How do I go on with my life and start feeling "normal" again? * How can I talk with family and friends about my cancer? * Where can I get more information about cancer symptoms and side effects of treatment? Appendix The Appendix is a list of web sites, organizations, and literature to help cancer patients and their caregivers find additional resources on general and specific topics related to cancer, cancer treatment, and cancer treatment side effects. Glossary Index
Library of Congress Subject Headings for this publication: Cancer Popular works, Cancer Treatment Complications Popular works, Antineoplastic agents Side effects Popular works