, CONTENTS
Preface vii
Part One: Cancer and Cancer Treatment 1
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 Two: Getting Information and Making Decisions 31
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 clinical trials that might be appropriate for me?
• I feel so overwhelmed by all the information I’m getting. How do I make
decisions about my treatment?
Part Three: Comfort, Activity, and Sleep 49
Questions 25–34 discuss options for improving your comfort and quality of
life during cancer treatment:
• Will I have pain? What are the options available to treat my pain?
• I feel tired much of the time. What can I do to increase my energy?
• Can I exercise?
Part Four: Blood Counts and Skin Problems 71
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?
• What do I do if my red blood cell count is low?
• What is shingles? Is there a vaccine for shingles, and should I get it?
, 100 Q&A ABOUT CANCER SYMPTOMS AND CANCER TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS
Part Five: Problems with Breathing, Nutrition, Digestion,
and Urination 91
Questions 46–61 discuss ways to cope with effects of treatment on breathing,
nutrition, digestion, and elimination, including:
• How do I know if I need oxygen?
• What can I do to increase my appetite and maintain my weight?
• What can I do for mouth sores?
Part Six: Appearance and Sexual Issues 127
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 don’t feel the desire to be sexually intimate with my partner the
way I used to. What can I do to maintain our relationship?
• Will I be able to conceive a child after treatment?
Part Seven: Neurologic Problems, Fluid Retention,
and Blood Chemistry 147
Questions 70–81 describe problems related to nerves, blood and blood vessels, and
fluid buildup, including:
• What is cerebral edema? How is this managed?
• Why are my legs swollen? What can I do to minimize the swelling?
• I have heard that some people can get diabetes from their treatment.
How is this diagnosed and treated?
Part Eight: Other Health-Related Issues 175
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?
• Can I drink alcohol?
• Should I stop smoking?
Part Nine: Emotional and Social Concerns 185
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?
iv
, 100 Q&A ABOUT CANCER SYMPTOMS AND CANCER TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS
• How do I go on with my life and start feeling “normal” again?
• How can I talk with my family and friends about my cancer?
Appendix 215
Glossary 217
Index 225
Contents
v
Preface vii
Part One: Cancer and Cancer Treatment 1
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 Two: Getting Information and Making Decisions 31
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 clinical trials that might be appropriate for me?
• I feel so overwhelmed by all the information I’m getting. How do I make
decisions about my treatment?
Part Three: Comfort, Activity, and Sleep 49
Questions 25–34 discuss options for improving your comfort and quality of
life during cancer treatment:
• Will I have pain? What are the options available to treat my pain?
• I feel tired much of the time. What can I do to increase my energy?
• Can I exercise?
Part Four: Blood Counts and Skin Problems 71
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?
• What do I do if my red blood cell count is low?
• What is shingles? Is there a vaccine for shingles, and should I get it?
, 100 Q&A ABOUT CANCER SYMPTOMS AND CANCER TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS
Part Five: Problems with Breathing, Nutrition, Digestion,
and Urination 91
Questions 46–61 discuss ways to cope with effects of treatment on breathing,
nutrition, digestion, and elimination, including:
• How do I know if I need oxygen?
• What can I do to increase my appetite and maintain my weight?
• What can I do for mouth sores?
Part Six: Appearance and Sexual Issues 127
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 don’t feel the desire to be sexually intimate with my partner the
way I used to. What can I do to maintain our relationship?
• Will I be able to conceive a child after treatment?
Part Seven: Neurologic Problems, Fluid Retention,
and Blood Chemistry 147
Questions 70–81 describe problems related to nerves, blood and blood vessels, and
fluid buildup, including:
• What is cerebral edema? How is this managed?
• Why are my legs swollen? What can I do to minimize the swelling?
• I have heard that some people can get diabetes from their treatment.
How is this diagnosed and treated?
Part Eight: Other Health-Related Issues 175
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?
• Can I drink alcohol?
• Should I stop smoking?
Part Nine: Emotional and Social Concerns 185
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?
iv
, 100 Q&A ABOUT CANCER SYMPTOMS AND CANCER TREATMENT SIDE EFFECTS
• How do I go on with my life and start feeling “normal” again?
• How can I talk with my family and friends about my cancer?
Appendix 215
Glossary 217
Index 225
Contents
v
