The supportive role family pharmacists play for cancer patients

If you are diagnosed with cancer, your family pharmacist will work closely with your health care team (oncologist, family physician, hospital pharmacist, pivot nurse, psychologist, nutritionist, physiotherapist, etc.) to provide you with the best treatments for your condition.

In addition to answering your questions about the disease, your pharmacist will ensure your treatments are safe and effective. As a medication expert, your pharmacist can:

• Explain how your medications work, how to administer them and how to handle them safely.

• Tell you what precautions you should take to prevent drug interactions.

• Advise you on non-pharmacological measures to adopt and those to avoid.

• Help you manage your medications and adhere to your treatment.

• Inform you about side effects (e.g., gastrointestinal and skin problems) and how to alleviate them.

• Suggest to you and your health care team any adjustments that may optimize your therapy.

• Tell you what symptoms you should watch out for and that require prompt consultation.

• Refer you to a support group.

• Help you gain access to your treatments.

In short, your family pharmacist is a valuable ally you can always count on to support you in your fight against cancer.