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
info@WaltkeAcademy.com
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!
