Nutrition Tips
What you eat and drink has a profound effect on the way you feel, especially once you begin your treatment with Hycamtin. Eating well means getting enough calories to prevent weight loss and having enough protein in the diet to build and repair skin, hair, muscles, and organs. The key is to find a style of eating that makes you feel good. So, we’ve assembled some general tips for your diet:
- Eat small, frequent, high-calorie meals (every 2 hours)
- Don’t be afraid to try new foods—some things you may never have liked before may taste good to you during treatment
- Add extra protein and calories to food
- Prepare and store small portions of favorite foods
- Try liquid or powdered meal replacements, such as "instant breakfasts," during times when it is hard for you to eat food
- Snack between meals
Loss of appetite can be a serious problem for people receiving chemotherapy because those who can eat well are better able to withstand the side effects of the treatment. Eating in a calm, comfortable environment and regular exercise may also improve appetite.
Remember, no one source can answer all your questions or replace the information provided by your doctors and nurses. This Web site is not intended to replace ongoing communication between you and your health care team.
Important Safety Information
Use of Hycamtin
Hycamtin plus cisplatin is used for the treatment of cervical cancer, if it is widespread when first diagnosed, doesn’t go away with your first series of treatments, or comes back in a form that can’t be cured with surgery or radiation.
Reasons Not to Use Hycamtin
Do not use if you have had an allergic reaction to Hycamtin, if you are pregnant, if you are breast-feeding, or if you have low blood counts.
Side Effects
Hycamtin can interfere with your body’s ability to make white and red blood cells. Your doctor may prescribe a supportive therapy to help your body make more blood cells.
Side effects often associated with the use of Hycamtin plus cisplatin included low blood counts, pain (22%), vomiting (15%), nausea (14%), other digestive problems (14%), abnormal laboratory tests that may or may not cause symptoms (14%), and bladder/pelvic problems (12%).
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