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- Pumps are often simpler to manage than oral chemotherapy. Patients don’t really have to do much with a chemotherapy pump, except learn how to keep it clean and dry.
- Chemotherapy pumps are fairly simple to carry. Some patients are very concerned when they first find out they’ll need to be wearing a chemotherapy pump for a few days.
- Chemotherapy pumps are usually used briefly — and only for certain medications. Not many IV chemotherapies require a take-home pump. One of the most common take-home chemotherapies is 5-fluorouracil, or 5-FU for short.
- Chemotherapy pumps are easy to shut off, if necessary. Patients who are going to have a reaction to a pump-delivered chemotherapy drug will normally do so within the first 10 or 15 minutes of an infusion.
- Overview
- Can cancer patients receive chemotherapy at home?
- Types of at-home chemotherapies
- What are the benefits of home chemotherapy?
- Safety precautions to take for home chemotherapy
- Takeaway
Nowadays, many cancers can be treated with chemotherapy at home through pills, topical products, or home health nurses.
Chemotherapy uses substances that are cytotoxic (toxic to cells) to interrupt the growth and spread of cancer. It’s a type of treatment that can involve many different medications, all with varying functions. They can eliminate cancer cells, shrink tumors, or prevent cancer from spreading.
In the past, you would traditionally receive chemotherapy during an appointment with your oncology team — the specialized cancer professionals overseeing your recovery.
Now, chemotherapy at home is an option for many people. This can be useful for people who may find traditional injections distressing, have challenges getting to treatment locations, or want more privacy during care.
Chemotherapy at home is available for many people living with cancer. Many oral forms of chemotherapy are just as effective as the injectable form.
However, at-home chemotherapy is not available for all cancers that require chemotherapy. It may also not be ideal for your specific needs, even when it is an option.
Chemotherapy can be done at home — even if you require injections with a syringe or infusions (these are medications delivered intravenously (IV) through a catheter directly into your vein).
If this is a part of your treatment plan, a home health nurse will schedule regular visits where they’ll oversee the administration of the chemotherapy agent.
Depending on the medication and how easy it is to use, it may also be possible for a family member to take on this role with proper training.
However, injection-based chemotherapy at home is the exception. Most people’s chemotherapy at home is done through oral medications or topical products.
For many people, getting chemotherapy at home is more convenient than having to travel to an appointment for care. It also means you can stay in an environment where you feel safe and comfortable and can maintain your privacy.
Taking a pill or applying a topical product may be less painful than an injection. Oral medication may also be easier if your veins are fragile or if you’re experiencing side effects that make leaving the house difficult.
Many chemotherapy medications are considered hazardous, which means they can be harmful if you handle them incorrectly or if other people in your household are exposed to them.
If you’re receiving chemotherapy, traces of the medication can be found in everything from your sweat to your urine.
General safety rules to follow for chemotherapy at home include:
•Wash any laundry with urine, feces, sweat, vomit, or other bodily fluids separately from your other laundry. Store it separately from regular laundry, handle it with gloves, and wash these items in hot water. Laundry with chemotherapy medication on it should also be handled in this manner.
•Store all chemotherapy drugs in a dry, safe place, away from places where others may accidentally come into contact. It is not recommended to store your medications in the bathroom, as the moisture might affect them.
•Have a spill kit ready and teach others in your home how to use it.
Chemotherapy at home is a convenient option if you’re feeling overwhelmed by constant doctor visits. It offers a way to receive equally effective treatment while you maintain your privacy and comfort at home.
Not all cancers can be treated with at-home chemotherapy, and not all injectable medications have an oral or topical alternative.
Cuts, burns, and scrapes can get infected. To lessen your chances of getting hurt, you can: Use plastic dishes that won’t break. Wear shoes. Remove portable rugs so you don’t trip.
- Get some rest. Fatigue is the most common side effect experienced by cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy. So, get plenty of rest and avoid pushing yourself too hard, even if you're feeling good.
- Stay hydrated. Diarrhea, vomiting and other chemotherapy side effects can leave you feeling dehydrated. Not only can this deplete your energy levels; it can also lead to other health issues.
- Eat when you can. Chemotherapy can cause nausea and appetite loss, so it’s important to eat when you can to avoid becoming malnourished. Keep in mind that many foods may taste different as you go through treatment.
- Prepare for possible hair loss. Most cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy experience hair loss, usually starting around one to three weeks after their first treatment.
There are also other ways to have chemotherapy at home. You may be given a cream or ointment that contains the chemotherapy drugs to rub onto your skin (called topical chemotherapy) or pills that you take by mouth (called oral chemotherapy). Find out more about taking oral chemotherapy at home.
Your cancer treatment may include taking oral chemotherapy (chemo) at home. These are drugs you take by mouth to treat cancer. They may be tablets or capsules that you swallow.
People usually have chemotherapy either at home, in hospital or at a day clinic. There are different ways of having chemotherapy drugs. Your doctor will talk about the most suitable option for you.
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