Page 8 - Flipbook

Monitoring Self-Care

What can I do at home to help manage my care?

• It is important for you to monitor certain things at home (see patient diary) and report to your cancer care team any
side effects.

• DO NOT manage side effects at home without speaking with your cancer care team.

• However, there are some self-management tips you can do at home:

• Get adequate rest. Short (less than one hour) daytime naps may be needed.
• Participate in exercise (if your doctor has authorized it)
• Stay well hydrated
• Use moisturizing cream on your skin

• Protect yourself from the sun and use sunscreen
• Eat a balanced diet
• Clean your teeth after every meal and at bedtime using a soft-bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste
• Be sure to inform other health care providers (family doctor, dentist, surgeon, etc) what treatment you have
been prescribed
• Be sure to inform your cancer care team of all medication changes

Summary

• You are a partner in your care with your cancer care team.

• You can help your cancer care team to care for you by monitoring for specific side effects and reporting
to your cancer care team.

• With your help, side effects may be recognized early and managed more easily.
• With dual ICI therapy, the side effect profiles overlap. While the list of side effects is relatively short,
immune-related side effects may be severe.

• If an immune-related side effect requires that treatment be interrupted, both medications are usually
held. Recognizing immune-related side effects early may mean that the side effect can be managed
without having to stop treatment.

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