Some patients experiencing difficult side effects from treatment may ask if it is possible to take a break to get their strength back. Some may want to pause or delay treatment to attend a major family event or take a trip.
Those questions are valid and should be discussed with a patient's care team.
"I think it's important for patients to recognize that they are an equal partner in this decision about taking a break," said Dr. Toby Campbell, a UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center lung medical oncologist whose research focuses on patient communication and shared decision making.
Is the care curative?
One of the biggest factors in discussing a treatment break is whether the patient has the potential to be cured through treatment. Those patients benefit most from adhering to a set schedule and speed in their care plan. Breaks are typically only done if patients need to recover from significant side effects before continuing treatment.
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"For those patients who are on a curative intent treatment, I'm less likely to feel good about interrupting treatment," Campbell said. "It's not impossible. The major distinction is that we're probably not taking breaks unless we're forced to because of treatment toxicity."
Prioritizing goals
For patients who won't be cured of cancer but can extend their life with treatments, Campbell believes living longer and living well go hand in hand. He talks with each patient about their goals and how he can help them achieve those during treatment.
"I often ask, 'What are the things that make your life worth living?'" Campbell said. "Or I might say, 'What makes you happy? Are you able to do those things?'"
Some patients feel nervous about skipping or delaying a treatment to go on a family trip or attend a milestone event, like a wedding or a child's graduation. Campbell reassures patients on life-extending care that missing one treatment is not a problem. He would rather them enjoy their trip or special event without feeling ill from side effects.
"Missing one dose (of chemo) so you can go on the trip of a lifetime isn't a big deal," he said. "You're not on chemo just to be on chemo. You're on chemo so that you can live your life."
How long a break in treatment can be is an individual discussion with a patient's provider. Campbell emphasized that life-extending cancer treatments should help the patient live the best quality of life possible.
"Patients are in control of whether or not this is helping them live their life," he said. "I want to empower them to recognize that it is an equally important part of whether the treatment is 'working' for them."
