Cancer

This page contains the most recent discussion threads pertaining to Cancer, as well as a list of all of the drugs falling within this category.


Cancer Overview

Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements. While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they can also have other causes. Over 100 types of cancers affect humans.Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths. Anot...

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Article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GFDL (GNU Free Documentation License). Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer

Recent Cancer Forums: RSS Feed

Pharmaceutical financial assistance applications

Do you have any financial assistance programs for persons on Medicare? I am on a fixed income of approximately 1200 monthly and need assistance with my pharmaceutical co-Pays for hydrcodon neurotiin volume and allouprinol. Please direct me to a financial assistance web site. ## I am a senior citizen diagnosed with CML in 2015. I have recently had my medication changed to Gleevec, 400mg by NorthStar. I have medicare D coverage which takes care of a good portion of the high cost of this drug, however, there is a $400.00 difference which I CANNOT cover....Can you help me by recommending a financial source that will help me? This worry is causing me so much anxiety, sleepless nights and overall depression. Do I just NOT take the medicine and die??? Please help... ## Yes, there are some assi...

Updated in Gleevec
Glioblastoma and hair regrowth

Is there any way to get hair to grow back faster (like shampoos or oils or lotions) from chemo and radiation therapy for glioblastoma? Any suggestions? ## Wanting to know if there is any remedies for hair growth after cancer to make come back any faster? ## Unfortunately, your hair growth is something that is set genetically, and while you can make sure you stay healthy to optimize it, you can't really speed it up. Are you able to take any vitamins, and supplements? That's one way to ensure you optimize your health to get the most out of your hair growth. You can learn more about hair growth here. Are you still on Chemo, or are you done?

Updated
Efudex on the scalp

Has anyone used Efudex on their head? I'm interested in any side effects on hair deterioration or loss. ## Hello Hoody, Reportedly this will be determined by the amount of efudex that you need to apply. If applied topically then the medicine will not be absorbed into the bloodstream and thus will not cause hair loss like other forms of chemotherapy treatment. If it is necessary to apply enough cream that it will absorb into the blood stream then you will start to experience typical symptoms associated with chemotherapy such as nasuea, vomiting, hair loss etc. Below is a link to the source of my information. [1] Efudex Treatment I hope this answers your question. Let me know if you would like to know anything else regarding this medication. ## Thanks so much Kevin. Will be a 14 light...

Updated in Efudex
Zejula (Niraparib) Discussion Forum

This is my 5th week on Zejula 200mg daily. As suggested by the pharmacy nurse I take it at night to help with possible side effects. The first 2 weeks I felt good. Slightly nauseous and shaky in the morning but was able to function well. The 3rd week I felt nauseous and shaky but it lasted longer. I also had more good days than bad. The 4th week the nausea, shakiness and fatigue lasted most the day. I did have 2 fairly good days that week. This week so far I have felt lousy most of the day. I have had my blood work checked every week. Platelets down to 100. Rest of my CBC low normal range. I see my oncologist in 4 days. I understand the reason to take this drug but I want to feel better. I have taken the nausea med as needed, many other forms of nausea relief methods and have taken naps...

Updated in Zejula
Efudex-40 (fluorouracil)

Need all information about this medication please. ## I have been told to apply Efudex to my lower lip, isn't this crazy? ## Not really. It is listed in the drug monograph that it can be used topically to treat certain cancerous or possibly cancerous conditions. ## Has anyone used it on their lips? Won't it just keep bleeding non-stop? ## Heidi- I've used it on my lips three times. Each time it was an application morning and at bedtime. Though about the second week it gets very sensitive and blister-like lesions appear that means it's working. I applied a product called Acquafor (like Vaseline Jelly) to seal it and protect). The healing takes some time but the outcome is worth it. ## I just used Efudex for 2 weeks on lower lip. from day 7 blistered and ulcerated and wept...

Updated in Efudex
Efudex 5%

Creme ## I have been taking applying 5% Efudex cream for two days to my lip per my Dr. Orders. So far, I have had no swelling or any sign of side effects. Does this mean the spot on my lip is non-cancerous? I was under the impression I was to have swelling and pain, and that this cream kills everything allowing the good cells to regrow. ## have to start the efudex 5% cream once a day on upper and lower lips. I am extremely worried about the pain. Is there anything besides aquafor or Vaseline to he help with pain? ## It contains the active ingredient fluorouracil, which is used to treat areas of skin that have been heavily exposed to the sun, or those that have been tested to have Basal Cell Carcinoma. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including skin redness, irritation,...

Updated in Efudex
Methotrexate - Liver enzymes elevated

How long can Methotrexate keep your liver enzymes elevated? ## My doctor monitors my liver enzymes carefully. If we see a rise, we cut back on the methotrexate. I would rather have some pain, etc. from an autoimmune disease, than have problems with my liver. Liver damage is irreversible. ## While Methotrexate has been known to cause elevated liver enzymes, it has also been known to cause permanent liver damage in some people that take it, including fatty liver, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Ref: Methotrexate Information What has your doctor advised? How high were they? Are you on any other medications?

Updated in Methotrexate
Prolia vs Reclast

I have Polycythemia Vera which is a bone cancer. I am 76 years old and have been taking Prolia for a few years. I have had breast cancer twice. Waiting for insurance to okay a valve replacement for my heart. The co pay for Prolia still is climbing. The oncologist said he could try me on Reclast to see if that would be cheaper since it is only once a year instead of twice for Prolia. I'm afraid the Reclast will mess with my kidney. Not sure if I should bite the bullet with Prolia, since I know what to expect. Any suggestions?

Updated in Reclast
Discontinuing Megestrol Treatment

I'm elderly and have been taking megestrol, but would like to come off most of my meds... Is there an adjustment period or can you come off of megestrol fast? ## Hi Jerry, May I ask how long you've been taking Megestrol for? Often times, if someone has taken a medication long enough, there can be physical or psychological adjustment periods simply because the body is being cut off a chemical that it was used to having, even when the substance is benign in nature or non-habit-forming. However, if it's been a short while (say a few months or so), then in my opinion I don't see any reason why someone wouldn't be able to stop taking this medication cold turkey. On the other hand, because everyone reacts/responds differently (due to various underlying factors), the only w...

Updated in Megestrol
Methotrexate injections for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

I have just stated using methotrexate injections for RA after using tablets which gave me mouth ulcers and nausea. Have also used Arava and other RA meds without success . I am also on occasional predisalone as I gain too much weight and am a type 1 diabetic and blood sugars go up considerably. I also take 300mg of plaquenil each day for my arthritis. I would like to know how others are coping with the methotrexate, results and side effects??? ## We are all different, so Methotrexate works great for some people, but not for all, thus, the only way to see if it will help you is by actually trying it according to your doctor's instructions. The FDA warns that it may cause side effects, such as dizziness, headache, chills/fever, hair loss, and light sensitivity. Ref: Methotrexate Infor...

Updated in Methotrexate

Cancer Medications (771 results)