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Using Oral Medications to Treat Cancer
Using Oral Medications to Treat Cancer“It is the middle, right?” – Cynthia, PatientCynthia Vega is living with breast cancer: she will be fighting the disease – for life.When she was diagnosed, it was stage four: the disease had already spread.“I just didn’t want to accept it; and I’m not – I wasn’t, you know, well, I’m still not ready to go. So, I was openand ready to start treatment right away – to get myself better.” – Cynthia Vega, patientCynthia was also “open and ready” to try things she’d never planned to do. Archery is one of them.“You feel in power when you’re uh participating in it. And it’s kinda symbolic to, you’re feeling empowered onboth ends – with the sport and, you know, battling the disease.” – Cynthia, PatientAnother reason Cynthia’s feeling empowered is the type of chemotherapy she’s getting.“When people think about treatment for cancer, they usually think about intravenous treatment, or IV therapy.But, actually, we have many treatments for cancer that come in oral form – in pills.” - Ruth Oratz, MD ,Oncologist“Are you having any problems with your medicines?” - DoctorCynthia’s oncologist has her on two chemotherapy pills.Cynthia says it’s far more convenient than having to go to the cancer center and be treated by IV.“It allows me to continue my treatment, but also allows me to work, take care of my children and basically havethe freedom to live my life.” - Cynthia Vega, patient“Cynthia’s the perfect patient for oral medication.” - Ruth Oratz, MD , OncologistBut not everyone is a candidate for oral chemotherapy. It depends on many factors, such as your type of cancer,which drugs will work best for you, and a willingness and ability to take on added responsibility for your treatment.“I have to know as your doctor that you are, in fact, taking your pills, and taking the medicine in the way thatwe’re prescribing it.” - Ruth Oratz, MD , OncologistOnce in the body, oral chemotherapy works the same way as treatment delivered by IV straight to yourPage 1 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1002598 EN UsingOralMedicationsToTreatCancer.pdf© The Wellness NetworkUsing Oral Medications to Treat Cancerbloodstream. But there are also key differences.“The oral chemotherapy pills are a lower dosage, but given more continuously – as opposed to that IV drip, thatyou might only get once a week, or once every two or three weeks.” - Ruth Oratz, MD , OncologistTo keep the medication level in your body constant, it’s important to take your pill or capsule at the same time eachday.Ask your healthcare team: How often you should take the medication- and when. How long you’ll be on thetreatment. Whether to take the medication with or without food, and with a specific amount of water.What side effects you might have and what to do if they happen. What to do if you miss a dose or accidentally takean extra one. And – whether it’s ok to take the medicine along with other medications or supplements.“The challenges with me for taking oral medication– remembering to take it every day. So, I actually have a daychart, a little, pill dispenser, to lay out the days, so I could remember if I took it or not.” - Cynthia, patient“Taking pills for any kind of medical condition can sometimes be very confusing.” - Ruth Oratz, MD ,Oncologist“We’ll work with you to come up with a system, to keep things simple, not confusing, and be sure that it’scorrect, in terms of the dose and schedule for your treatment.” - Ruth Oratz, MD , OncologistJust because treatment is taken “on your own”, doesn’t mean you’ll get less attention from your healthcare team.You’ll still be closely monitored.And just because treatment is easier doesn’t mean it’s less powerful.“Sometimes people think that taking a pill is not as effective as getting intravenous therapy – or that, if they’renot having serious side effects that the treatment may not be working. That’s a big myth.” - Ruth Oratz, MD ,Oncologist“We have found that effective cancer treatment doesn’t always have to be so difficult on the patient.” - RuthOratz, MD , OncologistCynthia’s treatment is allowing her to stick to her target of living life to the fullest.Page 2 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1002598 EN UsingOralMedicationsToTreatCancer.pdf© The Wellness NetworkUsing Oral Medications to Treat Cancer“It feels exhilarating when you, when you shoot the arrow to the bulls eye. You feel powerful, you feel like, you know, likethe strongest woman that you could ever be.“ - Cynthia, PatientPage 3 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1002598 EN UsingOralMedicationsToTreatCancer.pdf© The Wellness Network
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