Chemotherapy and Infusion
Treating Cancer with Powerful Medications
Chemotherapy, often called "chemo" for short, is a type of treatment that uses powerful medications to target cancer cells. These medications can either destroy cancer cells directly or slow their growth.
Different Chemo Drugs, Different Approaches
There are several ways chemotherapy drugs work to treat cancer:
- Targeting Hormone Dependence: Some cancers rely on hormones to grow. This type of chemo disrupts the production of those specific hormones, hindering the cancer's ability to thrive.
- Direct Cell Attack: These chemo drugs directly target and eliminate cancer cells.
- Immune System Activation: Another approach involves stimulating your body's natural defenses. These chemo drugs help your immune system recognize and fight cancer cells.
How Chemo Reaches Your Body
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Chemotherapy can be administered in two main ways:
- Oral Medication: Some chemo drugs come in pill form for convenient oral administration.
- Intravenous Infusion: Other chemotherapies require intravenous (IV) delivery, where the medication is injected directly into your veins.
Safety First Ensuring Accurate Dosing
When receiving chemo through IV, ensuring an accurate dosage is crucial. Here's how NMCC prioritizes your safety:
- Precise Orders: Your oncologist meticulously determines the appropriate dose for your specific needs.
- Pharmacist Verification: A qualified pharmacist meticulously double-checks the dose calculation and prepares the medication in a sterile environment.
- Nurse Confirmation: Before administration, your oncology nurse, specially trained in handling chemo medications, performs a final verification of the dosage to ensure it matches your doctor's order.
Our Expert Chemo Infusion Team
At NMCC, your care is in the hands of highly skilled oncology nurses. These nurses possess specialized training and certification in administering chemotherapy medications. They stay up-to-date on the latest drugs and techniques through continuous education programs.