Cancer
Medications in
the Home
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Cancer Medications &
Teamwork
● Health
providers play a role
● Increased use of cancer medications at
home
● Patient’s role is expanding
Healthcare team + Patient = Improved Patient Outcome
Medications to Treat Cancer
● Cytotoxic
Chemotherapy
● Hormonal Agents
● Immunotherapy
● Targeted
therapies
Supportive Care Medications
● Prevent
nausea
● Prevent reactions from IV drugs
● Prevent diarrhea or constipation
● Increase white blood cells
● Treat blood clots
● Example: steroids, antibiotics
Cancer Treatment Goals
● Neo-adjuvant:
Shrink cancer before
surgery
● Adjuvant:
Reduce chance of cancer
coming back after surgery
● Metastatic:
Shrink or control cancer
growth (palliative)
Cancer Treatment Plans
plans (regimens) –
combination of cancer meds (oral and IV)
plus supportive care meds
● Treatment
● Treatment
Cycles
otime period medications are given
ocounted in days – treatment occurs on day 1
oUsually dispensed one cycle at a time to
increase safety
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Cancer Treatment Plans

May include oral cancer meds, IV
cancer meds or both.

May include radiation therapy

Radiation may be given before, after
or during medication
Unwanted (Adverse) Effects
● Cytotoxic
drugs
o Drop in white blood cells/platelets
o Sick to stomach, vomit, diarrhea
o Hair loss
● Targeted
therapies
o Skin rashes, sensitivity to sun, diarrhea,
changes in blood pressure or heart function
● Hormone
or Immunotherapies
o Side effects are specific to process in body
affected
How can you help?
●
Know signs (symptoms) of cancer versus
unwanted effects of medications
●
Write down symptoms you have
●
Ask how to identify which symptoms require
immediate medical attention
●
Tell provider about symptoms, unwanted effects
●
Tell your provider about missed doses
True or False?
1. Oral cancer medications have less
side effects than injected (IV)
medications.
2. Oral cancer medications are safer to
take than IV medications.
Drug Interactions
● “Patient
Story”
● Drug
interactions may occur with any
medication: prescription, over the counter,
vitamins & minerals, herbal or natural
products, specific foods and alcohol
● Can
be harmful and reduce effectiveness of
treatment
You can prevent harm from drug
interactions …here’s how
●
Use the same pharmacy
●
Keep a list of all medications-work with
your pharmacists
●
Share your list with all healthcare providers
●
Read instructions on labels on all medication
bottles
●
Always read auxiliary labels and other handouts
given
How can you prevent errors
in your prescriptions?
●
Know names of your meds - generic & brand
●
Know what your tablets or capsules look like
●
Spell your drug names for healthcare providers
●
Check 5 Rs-right patient, right med, right dose,
right time, right route
●
If a medicine does not look or sound right-ASK
the provider to check
Safety in YOUR Home
Do not split or crush cancer medications
 Tell your pharmacist if you cannot
swallow the drugs whole
 Store drugs in a secure place away from
heat & moisture
 Store drugs out of reach of children and
pets
 Take medications to a pharmacy for
disposal

Safety in YOUR Home:
Hazardous Medications
● Many
cancer medications are
“hazardous”
o
o
● Ask
o
o
Can cause harm to healthy person
Limit exposure
if your medications are hazardous
Learn safe handling of medication
Learn safe clean up of body wastes
Safety in YOUR Home:
Hazardous Medications
● Wear
gloves when handling tablets or
capsules
o
Wash hands after removing gloves
● Body
waste is contaminated for about 48
hours after the last dose of medication is
taken (IV or oral)
o
o
o
Wear gloves when cleaning up waste
Wash hands well
Close toilet lid and flush twice
Safety in YOUR Home:
Hazardous Medications
● If
a spill occurs:
o Use spill kit if provided
o
Wear gloves when cleaning up
o
Wash soiled clothes separately
o
Wash surfaces twice
Cancer Medications and
Safety: What did we learn?
YOU are part of the team
 YOU can help prevent errors
 Learn about your cancer and your
treatment plan
 Know which medications you take and
how
 Ask if there are extra safety
precautions for your medication
 Ask if anything doesn’t look right

Where Can You Look for
More Information?

CancerCare Manitoba website
www.cancercare.mb.ca

CCMB Patient and Family Resource
Center

CCMB Pharmacy Department
Ph: 204-787-1902
The Patient Journey
If you or a loved one have a
cancer diagnosis, there are things
you can do to help.
The Patient Journey:
What You Need to Know & Do
1. Confirmed Diagnosis & Treatment Plan
• Choose patient advocate to attend meetings
• Share your concerns & fears with your team
• Ask questions about your treatment choices
• Ask providers’ contact names & numbers
• Ask for information on your type of cancer
• Read up on your cancer & treatment choices
The Patient Journey:
What You Need to Know & Do
2. First Follow Up Meeting
●
Ask questions about:
o How to safely take your meds at home
o
Possible side effects and what to do
o
Write down key content discussed
o
Ask if you do not understand
o
Repeat back key messages you heard
The Patient Journey:
What You Need to Know & Do
3. Ongoing during your Journey
• Review your cancer meds and how to take
safely at home
• Write a list of all your cancer meds
• Read how to take properly
• Ask questions if you are not sure
• Review possible side effects of cancer meds
The Patient Journey:
What You Need to Know & Do
4. Self Monitor & Agree to Follow Plan
• Review possible side effects of cancer meds
• Write in a journal your cancer symptoms and
any side effects of cancer medications
• Write any problems you are having
• Share this info with your provider
• Ask questions
• Use aids such as reminder notes to help you
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