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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more| .
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Chemotherapy drugs are usually given to you as an outpatient, either by injection into a vein (intravenously) or as tablets. Chemotherapy into the vein is given as a session of treatment, usually over a few hours. This is followed by a rest period of a few weeks, which allows your body to recover from any side effects of the treatment. A complete course of chemotherapy is likely to take 4–6 months.
There are many different chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer, and they are often used in combinations (called a chemotherapy regimen).
The commonly used chemotherapy drugs include:
Other drugs may also be used.
Commonly used chemotherapy combinations are:
You may be offered a choice of chemotherapy treatments, as the different combinations have different side effects.
Research is always being carried out to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy while reducing the side effects, and you may be asked to take part in research trials |comparing different types of chemotherapy.
In women whose cancer is very unlikely to come back, chemotherapy may only reduce the chance of the cancer coming back (recurrence) by a small amount. In women whose chance of the cancer coming back is higher, chemotherapy may greatly reduce the chance of recurrence. Your doctor can let you know how likely chemotherapy is to make a difference in your case. They can also tell you about the possible side effects.
Chemotherapy drugs can cause unpleasant side effects, but these can usually be well controlled with medicines. The side effects you experience will depend on the drugs you are given, but they may include:
Everyone is different and will react to chemotherapy treatment in a different way. Some people may have very few side effects while others will have a lot. Almost all side effects are only short-term and will gradually disappear once the treatment has stopped.
You'll find more detailed information on chemotherapy side effects| in our 'Chemotherapy' section. We also have information to help you manage the side effects| of cancer treatment in our 'Living with and after cancer' section.
It is not a good idea to become pregnant while taking any of the chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer, as they may harm the developing foetus. It is important to use effective contraception during your treatment and for a year afterwards. You can discuss this with your doctor or specialist nurse.
Condoms should be used during sex within the first 48 hours after chemotherapy, to protect your partner from any of the drug that may be present in vaginal fluid.
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If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
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