What is the primary purpose of supportive care in chemotherapy?

What is the primary purpose of supportive care in chemotherapy?

• A. To cure cancer
• B. To provide relief from symptoms and side effects
• C. To prevent the spread of cancer
• D. To decrease treatment time

Answer: (B)

The primary purpose of supportive care in chemotherapy is to provide relief from symptoms and side effects. This includes managing the various adverse effects that can arise from chemotherapy treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pain. Supportive care aims to enhance the patient’s quality of life and help them tolerate the treatment regimen more effectively. While chemotherapy itself targets the cancer to shrink tumors and eliminate cancer cells, supportive care is essential in addressing the side effects of both the disease and its treatment. This ensures that patients can adhere to their treatment plans and maintain their overall well-being throughout the process. Curing cancer and preventing its spread are goals of the primary treatment itself, whereas supportive care focuses specifically on alleviating the discomfort associated with treatment. Reducing treatment time may be a consideration in treatment planning but is not the central aim of supportive care.

The primary purpose of supportive care in chemotherapy is to provide relief from symptoms and side effects. This includes managing the various adverse effects that can arise from chemotherapy treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and pain. Supportive care aims to enhance the patient’s quality of life and help them tolerate the treatment regimen more effectively. While chemotherapy itself targets the cancer to shrink tumors and eliminate cancer cells, supportive care is essential in addressing the side effects of both the disease and its treatment. This ensures that patients can adhere to their treatment plans and maintain their overall well-being throughout the process.

Curing cancer and preventing its spread are goals of the primary treatment itself, whereas supportive care focuses specifically on alleviating the discomfort associated with treatment. Reducing treatment time may be a consideration in treatment planning but is not the central aim of supportive care.