What to Expect

Knowledge is your strength

Every person's journey with cancer is different. Don't be surprised if you feel confused and stressed. You might have to care for someone who used to take care of you (such as a spouse or parent). Your hopes and dreams about the future may become uncertain. Many feelings may come up for you over time, including anger, grief, sadness, hope, worry, depression, or guilt. Try to keep in mind that many people who receive a diagnosis of cancer live for a long time.

During the year of melanoma treatment with INTRON® A, you and the person you care for will have to learn to deal with many things, including:

  • Strange new medical terms and seeking help from many different kinds of health care professionals
  • Regular injections of medicine (sometimes at home) and frequent trips to the doctor
  • Side effects of treatment, such as fevers, chills, fatigue, nausea, changes in appetite, depression
  • The reactions of other people towards cancer
  • Your own needs and feelings

When you know what to expect, you may feel a little more in control. Prepare yourself by learning about:

Cancer
A general term for more than 100 different diseases that involve the uncontrolled increase of abnormal new cells. These cells form tumors that can destroy surrounding tissue and spread throughout the body.
Fatigue
A condition marked by extreme tiredness and inability to function due to lack of energy. Fatigue may be acute or chronic.
Injection
Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."
Melanoma
A highly malignant type of skin cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.
Side effect
A result of drug or other therapy which is in addition to the desired therapeutic effect.

Manage Your Side Effects

calendar image

Download this treatment calendar to help track side effects.
> Download calendar (PDF)

promo image