Post-chemo survey produces surprising results

by Chris Sparling (Subscribe to Chris Sparling's posts)
Jun 26th 2008 9:29PM

Categories: Womens Health, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Men's Health

Having just watched a beloved family friend endure a debilitating bout of chemotherapy, I'm very skeptical about a new survey released by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS).

According to an article that appears in the current issue of Men's Health, a NCCS survey found that 94 percent of cancer patients claim that chemotherapy is not as enfeebling as most people perceive it to be. Again, I find this figure to be somewhat hard to believe. Even as a kid, when a good friend's father battled cancer, I witnessed the manner in which the treatment assaulted his body. I'm doubtful that he felt his initial concerns proved to be unwarranted once his treatment concluded.

In no way am I casting doubt on the efficacy of chemotherapy; rather, I'm simply voicing my opinion on this particular study. I simply find it hard to believe -- given what I've experienced personally with loved ones -- that such a high percentage of people finish treatment and essentially take the attitude of "It wasn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be." Could I be wrong? Of course -- wouldn't be the first time, definitely won't be the last. That's why I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the results of this survey. Feel free to weigh in on this matter in the comments section below.

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Comments (4)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jacki 6-26-2008 @ 2:05PM

Everyone tolerates chemotherapy differently. Some sail right through, some struggle. I sailed for a bit, then struggled at the end when the toxic treatment landed me in the hospital -- twice. On a daily basis, though, it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. I was never bed-ridden, didn't throw up, and mostly was able to maintain my everyday routine. It's key to keep in mind too that chemo drugs vary from patient to patient, from cancer to cancer. No two people will have the same experience.

Jacki

KH 6-27-2008 @ 2:01PM

I went though chemo a year ago. It really wasn't too bad, more inconvenient than anything else. Sure, I felt tired, and had lots of tension and achiness, but nothing that made me have to stay home from work. What I was surprised about was how much losing my hair effected my sense of well being. That was the worst part of the whole thing. I think it was mainly because of the reaction from other people, especially those who knew me before. It was a visual reminder that I was sick, and I couldn't hide it.

samantha 7-12-2008 @ 10:50PM

ya..just like the person above me, my chemotherapy experiance was very easy. of course it was extremly boring being stuck in the hospital for five days for 16 hours of chemo a day, but that was all it was..boring. at the end i had some complications because the hospital accendently overdosed my medication which led to extreme pain for a week but that it wasn't even from the chemotherapy, just an overdose. If anything it gave me a project to get involved with and a story i can tell new found freinds.

but my aunt also had cancer and her experience was EXTREMLY different. she had only an hour a day every other week (instead of my unendless week), and it would leave her bed ridden for three days which consisted of throwing up, pain, and exastion. when ever the topic cancer is brought up they immendiatly begin talking about my aunts experiance and the pain she stuggeled through, they forget that i even had it because it was so pain free and smooth.

-hope that helps :)

Siti Hajar Hassan 8-08-2008 @ 6:25PM

I am undergoing chemo right now completed 5 out of 8 cycles prescribed by the doctor. The side effects I enountered are, lost of hair 100% just before cycle 2 , 100% darkening of the nails after cycle 4 & feeling larthrgic for a couple of days after each cycle. I am still working, only took 2 days off from work at each cycle.

It was a pleasant surprise after all the horror stories I've heard about chemo.