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Published on: Feb 05, 2022
3 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

How Does Chemotherapy Work In Cancer?

How does Chemotherapy work in cancer?

Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells with chemicals. The chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA, which stops the cells from dividing and growing. As a result, the cancer cells die. The chemotherapy drugs can also damage normal, healthy cells. This can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.

Chemotherapy works by interfering with the ability of cancer cells to divide and grow. There are several different chemotherapy drugs, and they work in different ways. But all of them aim to stop cancer cells from dividing and growing.

Some chemotherapy drugs are more effective against certain types of cancer than others. And some chemotherapy drugs cause more side effects than others. So, your doctor will choose the drug or combination of drugs that are most likely to be effective against your type of cancer, while causing as few side effects as possible.

Chemotherapy agents work to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA and preventing them from dividing. As cancer cells grow and divide, they form new tumors. Chemotherapy agents also work to shrink tumors by stopping the cells within them from dividing. Chemotherapy is the general term for drugs that kill cancer cells. There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they work in different ways.

Most chemotherapy drugs kill cells by damaging their DNA. This can stop the cell from dividing or make it die. Some chemotherapy drugs work by stopping the cancer cells from dividing, others make the cancer cells die, and still, others stop the cancer cells from spreading.

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be used to treat cancer that has come back after treatment, or cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy may also be used as part of the first treatment for some types of cancer. The way chemotherapy works depends on the type of drug. Some chemotherapy drugs work by stopping the cancer cell from dividing. Other chemotherapy drugs enter the cells and damage or destroy them.

Chemotherapy works by killing cancer cells. The chemotherapy drugs work by stopping the cancer cells from dividing and growing. Some chemotherapy drugs are designed to attach to the cancer cells and kill them directly. Others work by damaging the DNA in the cancer cells, which stops them from growing or reproducing. Chemotherapy works by killing cancer cells. The chemotherapy drugs travel throughout the body and kill cancer cells that may have spread from the original tumor. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink tumors before surgery.

Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting and killing cancer cells. They do this by disrupting the DNA of the cancer cells, which ultimately stops them from dividing and growing. However, chemotherapy drugs also harm normal, healthy cells, which is why they can cause side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and fatigue. The good news is that these side effects are usually temporary and should go away once treatment is finished.

Chemotherapy works by killing cells that are dividing rapidly. Cancer cells divide rapidly, so chemotherapy is effective at killing them. However, chemotherapy also kills healthy cells that are dividing rapidly, such as the lining of your stomach and intestines. This can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. Chemotherapy works by inhibiting the reproduction of cancer cells. It does this by stopping the cells from dividing and growing. The chemotherapy drugs enter the cancer cells and stop them from reproducing. This kills the cancer cells and slows the growth of the tumor.

When chemotherapy is delivered intravenously, the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body to reach and destroy cancer cells. Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea and vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, and mouth sores. Chemotherapy can also affect healthy cells in the body. Therefore people often lose their hair, feel tired, and experience other side effects. These side effects vary from person to person and depend on the type of chemotherapy drug(s) being used. Your healthcare team will work with you to choose drugs that have the fewest possible side effects for you.

After your doctor determines you have cancer, one of the first things he’ll do is order a course of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a potent treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. The goal of chemotherapy is to shrink or destroy the tumor while doing as little harm as possible to healthy cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy doesn’t always work the way we want it to. You may experience side effects like hair loss, nausea, and fatigue. Here’s what you can expect during your treatment.

Essentially chemotherapy drugs work by killing cancer cells. However, these drugs can also damage healthy cells, which is why chemotherapy often causes side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and hair loss. The type and severity of chemotherapy side effects you experience will vary depending on the drug or combination of drugs you're taking, how your body reacts to them, and how much treatment you receive. Some people experience only minor side effects, while others may have more serious problems. You'll likely be given medication to help reduce the intensity of your chemotherapy side effects. Be sure to take all of your medications as prescribed and don't hesitate to talk to your doctor or nurse about any problems you're having.

The chemotherapy drug is injected into a vein and travels through the body to kill cancer cells. Most people feel fine during chemotherapy. Some people may experience mild side effects such as fatigue, hair loss, nausea, or vomiting. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.

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Heart Related Health Issues: Early Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Heart related health issues remain one of the leading causes of illness and death worldwide. Despite advancements in medical care, many heart conditions are diagnosed late because early symptoms are subtle, misunderstood or ignored. Understanding early warning signs of heart related health issues is crucial, as timely action can prevent life-threatening events such as heart attacks and strokes.

Public health data consistently shows that most cardiovascular events are preceded by warning signals that appear weeks, months or even years earlier. Recognising these signs allows for early intervention and better long-term outcomes.

What Are Heart Related Health Issues?

Heart related health issues include conditions that affect:

the heart muscle
coronary arteries
heart valves
electrical system of the heart

Common conditions include coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias and hypertension-related heart damage.

Why Heart Problems Often Go Unnoticed

Heart disease is often called a “silent killer” because:

symptoms develop gradually
early signs are mild
discomfort is mistaken for fatigue or indigestion
people delay medical evaluation

Unfortunately, waiting for severe pain or emergencies increases risk.

Early Warning Signs of Heart Related Health Issues

Chest Discomfort

Chest pain or discomfort is the most recognised warning sign, but it does not always feel severe.

It may present as:

pressure
tightness
heaviness
burning sensation

Chest discomfort may come and go and worsen with exertion.

Breathlessness

Shortness of breath during routine activities or at rest may indicate:

reduced heart pumping capacity
fluid buildup in lungs

Breathlessness is often an early sign of heart failure or coronary disease.

Unusual Fatigue

Persistent, unexplained fatigue can signal reduced blood supply to the body.

People may notice:

exhaustion after minimal activity
reduced stamina
prolonged recovery after exertion

Fatigue is frequently overlooked as stress or ageing.

Palpitations or Irregular Heartbeat

Feeling the heart race, flutter or skip beats may indicate rhythm disturbances.

Symptoms include:

rapid heartbeat
pounding sensation
irregular pulse

Some arrhythmias increase stroke risk if untreated.

Dizziness or Lightheadedness

Reduced blood flow to the brain can cause:

dizziness
fainting spells
imbalance

These symptoms may signal heart rhythm or blood pressure issues.

Swelling in Legs or Ankles

Fluid retention in lower limbs suggests:

weakened heart function
poor circulation

Swelling often worsens by evening and improves overnight.

Pain in Other Areas

Heart-related pain may radiate to:

left arm
neck
jaw
back
upper abdomen

This atypical pain is common and frequently misdiagnosed.

Symptoms That Are More Common in Women

Women may experience:

nausea
jaw pain
back pain
extreme fatigue
shortness of breath without chest pain

These non-classic symptoms often delay diagnosis.

Risk Factors for Heart Related Health Issues

Major risk factors include:

high blood pressure
diabetes
high cholesterol
smoking
obesity
sedentary lifestyle
chronic stress
family history

Risk increases when multiple factors coexist.

Why Early Detection Is Critical

Early diagnosis:

prevents heart attacks
reduces heart muscle damage
lowers hospitalisation risk
improves quality of life

Most heart conditions are manageable when detected early.

How Heart Problems Are Diagnosed

Evaluation may involve:

blood pressure measurement
blood tests
electrocardiogram (ECG)
imaging studies
stress testing

Tests are chosen based on symptoms and risk profile.

Treatment and Management

Medical Management

Depending on the condition:

medications
lifestyle changes
monitoring

Early treatment slows disease progression.

Lifestyle Modification

Lifestyle plays a major role in heart health:

balanced diet
regular physical activity
stress management
adequate sleep
smoking cessation

Lifestyle changes significantly reduce risk.

Preventive Measures for Heart Health

regular health checkups
blood pressure and sugar monitoring
cholesterol screening
physical activity
heart-healthy diet

Prevention is the most effective strategy against heart disease.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Seek urgent care if:

chest pain is severe or persistent
breathlessness occurs suddenly
fainting happens
pain radiates to arm or jaw

Prompt action saves lives.

Long-Term Impact of Ignoring Warning Signs

Ignoring early symptoms may lead to:

heart attack
stroke
heart failure
permanent heart damage
sudden cardiac events

Delayed care increases mortality risk.

Conclusion

Heart related health issues rarely appear suddenly without warning. The body often sends early signals such as chest discomfort, fatigue, breathlessness and palpitations long before emergencies occur. Recognising these early warning signs and seeking timely medical evaluation can prevent serious complications and save lives. Heart health requires awareness, proactive care and early action—because when it comes to the heart, ignoring symptoms is a risk no one should take.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Cardiovascular Disease Report
World Health Organization (WHO) – Cardiovascular Health Guidelines
National Heart Institute – Early Signs of Heart Disease
Lancet – Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease Studies
Indian Journal of Cardiology – Heart Disease Detection and Preventio
Statista – Heart Disease Trends and Risk Factors

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