ep 11 - Chemotherapy 101: What It Really Does Inside Your Body

Chemotherapy is one of the most recognized—and most feared—cancer treatments. But what actually is chemotherapy, and why does it affect so much more than cancer itself? In Episode 11 of The After. Cancer Podcast, oncology physical therapist Dr. Leslie Waltke breaks down chemotherapy in plain language so people can better understand what is happening inside their bodies during treatment. This episode explores: • How chemotherapy works • Why chemotherapy affects healthy cells too • Why side effects vary dramatically between people • Fatigue, neuropathy, nausea, blood count changes, and immune suppression • The emotional and physical toll of treatment • Why rehabilitation and movement matter during and after chemotherapy CHAPTERS: 00:00 What chemotherapy really is 02:00 Why chemotherapy feels so feared 03:00 Welcome + partnership with CURE 03:45 How chemotherapy attacks cancer cells 05:30 Why healthy cells are affected too 07:10 Cancer fatigue explained 09:15 Hair loss and emotional impact 10:40 Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy 12:20 Why side effects vary so much 13:50 Exercise during chemotherapy 15:40 How chemotherapy reaches the whole body 16:50 Blood counts and immune suppression 17:45 Reflection + closing thoughts 18:05 ABCD shoutout + outro This is Part 3 of the 4-part Cancer 101 series. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with CURE. For more information, visit CUREtoday.com. Resources Mentioned in This Episode • ABCD – After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (free, virtual emotional support) https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org • ABCD Mentor Program https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org/get-involved/become-a-mentor/ Episodes Mentioned / Related ACP Episodes Episode 3 - Cancer Comparing https://youtu.be/LDh4mGI9tWo?si=5ggmnul2s8H2YfkJ Episode 9 – Cancer Cell 101 https://youtu.be/k9_NkHp1rZ8 Episode 10 – Cancer Surgery 101 https://youtu.be/ESWK-oB3muM Episode 12 – Radiation Therapy 101 (Coming soon!) Community Shout Outs ABCD – After Breast Cancer Diagnosis https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org https://abcdbreastcancersupport.org/get-involved/become-a-mentor/ ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis provides free, personalized emotional support to anyone impacted by breast cancer, anywhere, at any stage. As a complement to medical care, ABCD matches individuals with a trained volunteer Mentor who shares a similar lived experience, offering compassionate one-to-one connection based on diagnosis, treatment, age, and lifestyle. With a fully virtual platform, ABCD helps people worldwide, ensuring no one faces breast cancer alone. About the Host Dr. Leslie Waltke is an internationally respected oncology physical therapist, educator, and advocate for evidence-based cancer survivorship care. She has spent more than three decades helping people regain strength, function, and confidence after cancer. 6. About The After. Cancer Podcast The After. Cancer Podcast explores the real experience of living with and beyond cancer — the side effects, the fear, the identity shifts, and the path forward that few people talk about. Please Subscribe! :) • Follow on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform • Join the email list to get episodes sent directly to your inbox: https://drwaltke.myflodesk.com/aftercancer • Share The After. Cancer Podcast with someone who needs it Professional Education (Waltke Cancer Rehabilitation Academy) Dr. Leslie Waltke is available for keynote speaking, CME and CEU education, consulting, and cancer rehabilitation program development through the Waltke Cancer Rehabilitation Academy. Learn more: https://www.waltkeacademy.com Contact Information [email protected] drlesliewaltke.com Topics chemotherapy explained, chemotherapy side effects, chemo fatigue, neuropathy from chemotherapy, cancer treatment, oncology rehab, cancer survivorship, cancer education, After Cancer Podcast If you are navigating cancer, survivorship, treatment side effects, or the emotional realities of life after diagnosis, The After. Cancer Podcast is here for you!