More than 60 oral chemotherapy agents are being developed for many cancers, Marks said. They'll be given oral agents that can be taken at home. In other cases, monoclonal antibodies, which are designed to kill specific cancer cells, are replacing chemotherapy. These drugs can target clusters of cancer cells and don't harm healthy cells. Two examples are Herceptin, for breast cancer, and Rituxan, for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Science still offers nothing to address hair loss, chemotherapy's most visible side effect.
Earning a living to support a family is the main reason people continue working. But Marks is among many medical professionals who say that working is also important to a cancer patient's emotional well-being, especially those who have always been active. Joyce Herschl, director of the Cancer Institute's social work services who has worked with cancer patients for 19 years, always encourages patients to work and maintain as normal a life as possible during treatment. Parry said when he's working, he doesn't even feel sick. Agresta said work connects him to the world and helps him remain involved.