Supportive Care Management Resources

Chemotherapy in the vein or by mouth can be used to treat many different types of cancers. It can cause many side effects. Side effects may be different from person to person.  They may depend on many things including the kind of cancer, other medicines you might be taking, and your general health.  

It is always important to discuss with your healthcare team if you have any of these side effects.  It is also important to share with your healthcare team if you have started any medications to treat any of the conditions listed below.  Your care team needs to know this information so that they can make informed decisions on how to make changes to your chemotherapy so that it works better for you.  

Some side effects from chemotherapy can affect how you take your other medicines as well.  Sometimes, if you are not feeling well, you may not want to take your medicines.  You should always discuss any changes to your medicines with you doctor, nurse or pharmacist.  Try not to stop any of your medicines unless you are told to, even if you are feeling bad.

Below are tools with more information on medicines and non-medicine options that can help with the most common side effects from chemotherapy.  

• Understanding chemotherapy
• What to expect when you are receiving chemotherapy
• Taking Care of Yourself During Cancer Treatment: [Please include PDF with hyperlink Taking Care of Yourself During Cancer Treatment]
• Common side effects of chemotherapy
• Nausea and Vomiting: [Please include PDF with hyperlink JFCI Management of Nausea and Vomiting]
• Constipation: [Please include PDF with hyperlink JFCI Management of Constipation]
• Diarrhea: [Please include PDF with hyperlink JFCI Management of Diarrhea]
• Mucositis: [Please include PDF with hyperlink JFCI Management of Mucositis (Mouth irritation and sores)]
• Leukopenia/Neutropenia: [Please include PDF with hyperlink JFCI Management of Leukopenia and Neutropenia (Low White Blood Cells)]
• Thrombocytopenia: [Please include PDF with hyperlink JFCI Management of Thrombocytopenia (Low platelets)]

Cancer Support and Information

When you or a loved one gets a diagnosis of cancer, it can be very difficult.  Make sure to get all of your questions answered when you meet with your care team.  It is important to have a safety net of people that can help and support you and your family.  There are many groups within Henry Ford and in the community that help with both cancer patients and their caregivers to help cope with this big change.

• General Cancer Information and Community Resources
• Henry Ford Cancer Support Groups