Chemotherapy

What is it?
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill fast-growing cancer cells or stop them from dividing. It may be used alone or combined with other treatments like surgery or radiation therapy.

How is it given?

• Intravenous (IV) infusion through a vein

• Oral pills or capsules

• Injection into a muscle, under the skin, or directly into the tumour

What to expect?

• Given in cycles with rest periods to allow recovery

• Common side effects: nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and higher infection risk

Radiation Therapy

What is it?
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to shrink or destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Types of delivery:

• External beam radiation – a machine directs radiation at the tumour

• Internal radiation (brachytherapy) – radioactive material is placed inside the body near the tumour

What to expect?

• Usually given in multiple sessions over several weeks

• Possible side effects: skin irritation, fatigue, localized pain

Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy

• Targeted Therapy works by blocking specific genes or proteins that help cancer grow and spread.

• Immunotherapy boosts your immune system so it can recognise and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

These therapies are often used for advanced cancers or those with specific genetic changes.

Cancer Surgery

What is it?
Surgery removes the tumour to either eliminate cancer or reduce its spread. It is often combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

How it’s done:

• Open surgery – larger incision to access and remove the tumour

• Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery) – smaller cuts, faster recovery

What to expect?

• Recovery time depends on surgery type

• Risks: bleeding, infection, long-term effects depending on organ removed

Hormone Therapy

Used for hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and prostate cancer, this treatment blocks or lowers hormones that fuel cancer growth.

How it’s delivered:

• Oral pills or injections

• In some cases, surgery to remove hormone-producing organs

What to expect?

• Long-term treatment to reduce recurrence risk

• Possible side effects: fatigue, hot flashes, mood changes

Precision Medicine

Also called personalised medicine, it uses genetic testing to find specific mutations in cancer cells and match them with targeted treatments.

• Often combined with targeted therapy or immunotherapy

• Requires genetic profiling before deciding the treatment plan

Palliative & Supportive Care

Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, even while receiving active cancer treatment.

This includes:

• Pain and symptom management

• Emotional and psychological support

• Help from dietitians, physiotherapists, and palliative care specialists

It can improve comfort, wellbeing, and daily life, regardless of cancer stage.