Chemotherapy

There are different ways to deliver chemo drugs:

• Infusion through an IV line
• As a needle injection
• Through a port (opening) in your upper chest put in place by a surgeon

Because cancer cells generally grow and divide or multiply more quickly than normal cells, chemo kills all fast-growing cells. This explains why some chemo drugs make you lose your hair or give you mouth sores. It’s also why chemo treatments are delayed as a patient heals from surgery or another injury.

Since the cancer medications used for chemotherapy are so powerful, they cause damage to many growing cells — including healthy ones. This damage causes the side effects linked with chemo treatment. If your oncologist prescribes chemotherapy, your doctor or personal nurse navigator will give you complete details about the particular drugs that are part of your treatment plan.

Chemo is used to effectively treat many types of cancer, including breast, prostate and colon cancers. Often, it is used along with other cancer treatments.

Lahey is the only health care system in the Boston area chosen to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM), designed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This system of care offers such outstanding support that we provide it for all of our chemotherapy patients, not just those with Medicare.

As part of this model, Lahey reports directly to CMS on the quality of care we provide to our patients. This includes details on communications and care coordination as well as patient and caregiver experiences. It also includes outcomes and processes of care for prostate, breast and colon cancer patients.

What OCM Means For You

You will receive a phone number that you can call at any time, day or night, if you have any questions about your care.

We want you to call us as soon as you start to feel sick or have any treatment-related symptoms, instead of waiting to see if it gets worse. Waiting often delays time-sensitive care and can result in a hospital admission.

At Lahey, we offer you a range of supportive services and resources such as support groups during and after your treatments.

Ask your doctor if you might qualify for a cancer clinical trial that could give you access to an emerging new cancer therapy.

Other Resources & Support

As you receive chemotherapy, there may be times when you need additional support. We offer you resources and services, such as:

• 24/7 access to providers who have real-time access to your medical records.
• A detailed care plan that includes your treatment goals, any out-of-pocket expenses you may have, and a survivorship plan provided at the end of your treatment.
• MyBILH Chart patient portal allowing you, and your designated caregivers, 24/7 access to your medical records.
• Help coordinating care, such as appointments, radiology scans, forms and more.
• Staff trained and ready to answer any questions.
• A single phone number to call for advice on managing symptoms and other issues, any time day or night.
• Access to leading-edge clinical trials.

Care that Goes Beyond Chemotherapy

As part of our cancer care, we also offer these services if you need them:

• Advance care planning: Ensures your care is based on your decisions, personal values, preferences and discussions with your loved ones. We have staff trained and ready to help you explore options, answer questions, complete essential documents and designate your health care agent.
• Psychosocial health: Ensures you receive the emotional support you may need for concerns linked to depression or distress.

We understand the many emotions surrounding a cancer diagnosis and the need for chemo. We also know that you will likely have questions and concerns during your treatment and beyond. We’re here for you during every step of your journey.