Follow-up phase arkistot - Page 2 of 4

Side effects of cytotoxic drugs

Cytotoxic drugs have adverse side effects. However, your functional capacity during treatment is usually good.

Cytotoxic drugs or cytostatics

Cytotoxic drugs or cytostatics (also cytotoxic chemotherapy) are drugs used to destroy cancer cells. Cytotoxic drugs inhibit cell division and in this way cause cancer cells to die. Cytotoxic drugs are transported in the bloodstream throughout the body.

Cancer surgery

Surgery is the first option in the treatment of many firm malignant tumours. Surgery to treat cancer removes the cancerous tumour and the healthy tissue surrounding it to prevent the spread of the tumour locally.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a common from of cancer treatment. Radiotherapy uses high energy, ionising radiation, known as radioactivity. Along with surgery, radiotherapy is another important form of treatment of localised cancer.

Hormone therapy

In some cancers, cancer cells exploit the body’s hormones to grow. Hormonal cancer therapy works by preventing this activity. Hormone therapy for cancer therefore seeks to prevent production and effects of hormones that are vital for the cancer in question.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy or immunological cancer therapy is a group of different treatment methods that aim to destroy cancer cells by influencing your body’s defence system in different ways.

Cancer treatments

Cancer treatments are being continually developed. Increasingly more effective and better-targeted treatments are available. As treatment has developed, the outcomes have improved. Treatment outcomes in Finland are outstanding by international comparisons.

How to go on?

For more and more people, cancer can be cured or at least controlled so that you can live a near-normal life. The end of treatment can feel both relieving and frightening at the same time.

Loved ones’ grief

The death of a loved one and the ensuing grief is a long process with many stages. The closer the patient is to you, the harder it is to let go.

Rehabilitation in public sector

You can get rehabilitation from the public healthcare side if your illness and its treatments have affected your ability to work and function and survive in everyday life.

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Cancer Society of Finland

Cancer organizations maintain several sites intended for different target groups

National patient organizations

Reactions are part of adaptation

Having cancer can affect your sexuality in many ways

How should you tell them at work that you have cancer?

It is best not to delay applying for benefits, as many may have deadlines

When you have cancer, exercise is important in terms of your wellbeing and recovery

Cancer affects a person’s diet and eating habits in many ways

There is no completely clear-cut definition of cancer

Cancer treatments are being continually developed

The situation of each cancer patient is unique

Cancer is not inherited

Health services must be available equitably

Living with chronic cancer

The illness affects the quality of both your lives

The death of a loved one and the ensuing grief is a long process with many stages

Once your treatments are over, your recovery from cancer is often just beginning

How to make going back to work succeed?

Follow-up is needed to detect adverse effects of treatment and recurrence of the cancer

Do you want to discuss cancer or its treatment?

Peer support often makes things easier for patients and their loved ones

Courses are organised mainly in Finnish

Are you wondering about rehabilitation?

Read and participate in the discussion

Cancer magazine Follow-up phase