Cancer cells recover more slowly and with more difficulty. The rest periods between chemotherapy treatments allow your normal cells to recover. However, as the cancer cells do not recover, more are killed with each treatment. Chemotherapy is planned by a medical oncologist in consultation with you and is usually started 1-5 weeks after surgery. It is most often given by an injection or through a drip.
Chemotherapy is given in cycles.
This means you have a short period of treatment followed by a rest period for 2-4 weeks where you have no treatment, then another treatment period, and so on. The rest period gives your body time to recover from any side effects. You may have treatment once a week or even once a month, depending on the type of breast cancer you have. Chemotherapy usually lasts for about 6 months. You will probably need to have frequent blood tests as well during this time to help the doctor monitor your health.