Back to February 2004: Chemotherapy Updates
What is "comfort chemo?"
- Question from Carrie: I have breast cancer, and I am in Stage IV. I have had 5 rounds of chemo and am finishing up on radiation of 7 weeks. They say I will be on comfort chemo after this—just what is that?
- Answers —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. : Your doctors are using the term "comfort chemo" to emphasize that the purpose of treatment is to make you feel better. In other words, if you feel worse on treatment than you did off of treatment, you need to work with your doctor to achieve the best quality of life possible.
- Marisa Weiss, M.D., Breastcancer.org president and founder: You might want to visit the Breastcancer.org discussion boards and chat rooms where you can connect with other women who can support you through your on-going therapy.
- Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. : Having Stage IV breast cancer can feel very lonely, and it doesn't need to.