Breast cancer treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy. They are designed to eliminate the cancer and prevent it from growing back.
However, the toxicity of these treatments can cause side effects and potentially complications. Supportive medication may be given to breast cancer patients as they undergo treatment to help their bodies manage side effects and improve their quality of life.
What is supportive care during cancer treatment?
Supportive care aims to improve quality of life through emotional support, good nutrition, physical and occupational therapy, treatment coordination and by helping manage symptoms and treatment side effects. This multidisciplinary approach provides valuable support to patients with cancer.
Given as part of the supportive care approach, supportive medications don’t target the cancer, they help protect the body from the effects of cancer treatment. They can be administered before, during or after cancer treatments to manage side effects and provide long-term protection to the body’s tissue, organs and bones.
Learn more about breast cancer treatment and care
What do supportive medications help with?
Supportive medication focuses on managing or preventing symptoms that occur as a result of breast cancer treatment. It makes it easier for patients to stay on their treatment by helping to avoid the onset of severe reactions to the treatment, which could lead to complications.
While the side effects of cancer treatments often vary from person to person, certain side effects are commonly reported. The following side effects may occur in patients undergoing cancer treatment and can be managed to a certain extent by supportive medicines.
- Reaction to infusion
- Nausea
- Skin dryness
- Diarrhea
- Mouth sores
- Fatigue
- Bone health
- Anxiety and depression
- Neutropenia
- Low blood pressure
- High blood pressure
- Infections
- Fever
How is supportive medication provided?
Your supportive medication will be prescribed by the oncologist managing your treatment protocol before you start your treatment. Then, before each future cycle or session, you will have an appointment with the oncologist. You will be asked to describe your symptoms during and post-treatment and your doctor may modify your prescription accordingly.
This is one of the reasons that cancer patients are advised to keep a symptom diary. It is the best way to track your daily experience. Self-reported symptoms are the most important for your doctor when assessing your supportive medication needs.
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