It is normal to have questions or concerns about commencing treatment for your cancer. Before you start your treatment, we will offer you a private education session.
Chemotherapy education
In this one-hour appointment, a chemotherapy nurse will help you understand:
- how chemotherapy works
- potential side effects and how to manage them
- chemotherapy precautions at home and
- self-management advice such as nutrition and exercise.
Radiation therapy education
One of our radiation oncology nurses will help you understand:
- how radiation therapy works
- potential side effects and how to manage them
- skin care during and after treatment
- specialized information, for example, if you are having radiation therapy for head and neck cancer or in the pelvic region
- self-management advice such as nutrition and exercise.
Regardless of your treatment, we will give you information about your treatment and side effects to take home and share with your loved ones, if you wish.
We will also tell you about support services available here at Canberra Health Services and in the community.
Our Cancer Supportive Care Team members are always available to answer your questions.
Chemotherapy safety
Chemotherapy is strong medicine, so our nurses and doctors may wear personal protective equipment like gloves, goggles, gowns or masks to limit their exposure to chemotherapy medicine. We get rid of this equipment using special bins.
The chemotherapy medicine may stay in your body for up to a week. Cancer Council has some useful information about staying safe at home after chemotherapy, including protecting your loved ones from exposure to chemotherapy medicine.