Pre-chemotherapy clinic – do I need to attend?
Yes! Let us explain why.
Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for cancer. A course of chemotherapy usually takes between three to six months.
Chemo is usually given every one to six weeks in ‘cycles’. Depending on the drug or combination of drugs, each treatment can last a few hours or a few days.
In between treatment days, you will not see the hospital team unless you ask for an extra appointment or there is an emergency.
However, routine pre-chemotherapy clinics are run by doctors or nurses a few days before each treatment day, to ensure that you are well enough to proceed with the next session. A blood test is often done.
These check-ups can be done face-to-face in clinic or remotely via telephone or video call, from the comfort of your own home. You can choose how you want to be followed up, but it’s best to tell your doctor or nurse beforehand, to avoid any delays on the day.
In some cases the doctor or nurse might suggest you come to the clinic, especially if you need to be examined or have an essential test which cannot happen virtually. If you want to make changes to how you are seen, cancel or rearrange your clinic appointment, you should ring your consultant’s secretary directly.
If you have a pre-chemotherapy clinic appointment at the hospital, you could try to time it with your pre-chemotherapy blood test to save extra hospital trips.
