Pharmacists Corner

Vaccines work by providing the body an example of what it should fight. Many vaccines already exist for viruses, bacteria, disease and other foreign substances. If the body becomes infected, the vaccine makes it "remember" to kill the substance. This technique, a very exciting area of research, is being explored for cancer.

Whether your cancer treatment is oral or intravenous, some medications may be harmful to those who live with you. Limiting exposure of other people to your pills and body fluids is your best bet to keeping everyone safe, even if the effect would be minimal.

Shawna Kraft, Pharm.D., explains why it's so important for people undergoing cancer treatment need to take their prescription medication as prescribed.

The Rogel Cancer Center receives many questions about influenza during flu season, especially about how flu can affect treatment and whether patients should get a flu vaccine.

Along with the rest of the University of Michigan, the infusion pharmacy at the Rogel Cancer Center has been using new technology to improve patient care

Rogel Cancer Center pharmacists educate each oral chemotherapy patient about the drugs, how they work and the best ways to prepare for anticancer therapy at home. Once patients obtain their oral medication, they have a very important role in their care.

It might seem like a lot of waiting when you come to the Rogel Cancer Center for infusion, but there is good reason. Pharmacists and technicians have important roles in preparing each dose of chemotherapy, making your safety our top priority.

Chemotherapy is used to treat many types of cancers and sometimes may cause nerve changes, which can increase with the more chemotherapy a patient receives.

Both men and women may experience hot flashes and sweating from their cancer or cancer treatment. In people with cancer, hot flashes are most commonly associated with lower hormone levels from breast cancer or prostate cancer treatment.