The Side Effects of

Chemotherapy

Ryan Degnan

My Mentor Mrs. Cameron LHS chemistry teacher Bachelors science degree in chemistry

from Washington college in Chestertown Maryland

Taught my 10th grade chemistry class Comfortable to talk to Worked at Walgreens laboratory with over

the counter medications

My Topic Different forms of cancer treatment Side effects of chemotherapy How to lessen the impact How to preserve the quality of life (qol)

Why I chose my topic Went through chemotherapy Experienced side effects Saw that there was much to learn

Proof of Problem Diagnosis comes with a lot of

information Many different side effects Studies show: Most chemo patients are

unaware of side effects impact 15,780 children diagnosed each year 1,960 are fatal cases

Core Question

How can families with pediatric cancer patients be better educated about Chemotherapy’s side effects

Cancer treatments 2 main types of cancer treatments Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy Radiotherapy is less common Alternative to chemotherapy Can be combined together Chemotherapy causes the most

significant side effects

Cytotoxic chemotherapy Poisonous medicine that kills body cells. Does not target only cancer cells Injected directly into the blood stream Each round usually lasts a few hours Used to treat solid tissue tumors &

blood cancers

Side effects Hair loss Nausea/vomiting Change in taste and appetite Weight loss Low blood count & fatigue Pain in joints and bonesDifferent Effect are caused by different Chemotherapy Medicines

Patient Studies Patients are not fully educated about

side effects Unaware of most information

What they are and how to deal with them Unsure of how to deal with effects

Coping Mechanisms

Patients passively wait for side effects to pass

Various coping mechanisms used by patients

https://www.google.com/search?q=childrens+coping+strategies+for+chemotherapy+induced+nausea+and+vomiting

Coping MechanismsActive- The patient physically does to cope with effects. Distraction Emotional regulation Problem solving Cognitive restructuring Social support

Coping MechanismsPassive- Patients passively waits for effects to pass. Wishful Thinking Social Withdrawal Resignation Self-criticism Blaming Others

Coping Mechanisms

Strategies Understanding the need for treatment Seeking pleasure in nourishment Engaging in activities to distract from

effects Keeping the hope of cure alive in

patients

Core Question

How can families with pediatric cancer patients be better educated about Chemotherapy’s side effects?

SolutionPatients can be better educated about the side effects of chemotherapy through an informational website that illustrates the different forms of side effects and ways to cope with these effects.

Website http://copingwithchemo.weebly.com/

Advertising

Hung fliers In Hasbro Children’s Hospital to advertise website.

New Knowledge Different forms of treatment can be

combined Radiation therapy brings minimal side

effects Radiation is less harmful to the body Most information will never reach the

patients

Learning stretch How to researching topics & finding

valid sources

How to create a website

Managing my time in and out of school

Works Cited Jacoby, David B., MD. Encyclopedia of Family Health. Vol. 2. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 1998. Print.Pedersen, Birgith, Dorte P. Koktved, and Lene L. Nielsen. "Living

With Side Effects From Cancer Treatment - A Challenge To Target Information." Scandinavian Journal Of Caring Sciences 27.3 (2013): 715-723. Academic Search Elite. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.

Rodgers, Cheryl, et al. “Children’s Coping Strategies for Chemotherapy induced Nausea and Vomiting.” Oncology Nursing Forum 39.2 (2012): 202-209. Academic Search Elite. Web. 9 Apr. 2015.Sposito, Amanda Mota Pacciulio, et al. “Coping Strategies Used

by Hospitalized Children With cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy.” Journal of Nursing Scholarship 47.2 (2015): 143-151. Academic Search Elite. Web. 9. Apr. 2015.Wu, Li-Min, Chi-Chun Chin, Joan E. Haase, and Chung-Hey Chen.

"Coping Experiences of Adolescents with Cancer: A Qualitative Study." Journal of Advanced Nursing 65.11 (2009): 2358-366. Web. 9 Apr. 2015.