The psychologist spoke about the fears of patients when prescribing chemotherapy

Svetlana Pulya, a neuropsychologist at SM Clinic, spoke on Tuesday, February 3, about the main experiences of patients with cancer when prescribing chemotherapy.

According to the specialist, the first fear is how the chemotherapy will go and what the body's reaction to chemotherapy drugs will be.

Therefore, it is important to try to learn as much as possible about the upcoming course, to familiarize yourself with the specifics of the procedure in advance: watch thematic videos, ask the attending physician to show you the office where they will put ivs, writes Health Mail. This will give you a sense of control and reduce feelings of insecurity.

Another myth, which is most often based on the stories of those who underwent chemotherapy a long time ago, when drugs were not as effective as they are today, is that the disease destroys the body more slowly than the medicine.

"I'll give you this advice: communicate with people who have gone through chemotherapy and are still socially active: their experience inspires and shows that treatment works," said Bullet.

The doctor noted that the third myth — hair loss, nausea, diarrhea, cognitive decline — all this really happens during chemotherapy, but then it goes away.

"Let me give you this advice: try to turn the negative into a positive — pick up new hats, scarves, wigs, maybe this game will become something interesting for you. Write down which foods and drinks cause or reduce the symptoms of nausea and vomiting, diarrhea — this will help you choose the right diet," the neuropsychologist suggested.

The fourth fear is the fear that friends will turn away from a person with cancer. The scheme here is something like this: "My hair will fall out, everyone will find out that I had chemistry, they will feel sorry for me or point fingers at me. Therefore, I will not tell anyone anything or I will refuse chemotherapy."

The specialist stressed that you should not refuse treatment, but you need to be treated as prescribed by doctors. In addition, loving loved ones will not leave you in a difficult situation, and their support can be invaluable.

In addition, there are patient communities that are created to help people who are unfamiliar but connected by a common problem.

She added that if you need psychological help, you can make an appointment with a specialist, and you don't have to be shy about it.

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Earlier that day, oncologist, president of the Russian Society of Specialists in Head and Neck Tumors, head of the Department of Head and Neck Oncology at Lapino Clinical Hospital, Professor Ali Mudunov of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that the average age of cancer in Russia is about 65 years, reports RT.

Over the past nine years, breast cancer has become more common in young Russians, according to 360.ru .

Marina Sekacheva, Director of the Institute of Personalized Oncology at the First Moscow State Medical University, MD, Professor, said on January 1 that 2025 was one of the most significant periods for global and Russian oncology. One of the main breakthroughs has been the success of cell therapy, she added.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.