Veins for Life

Patient Information

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Getting Started

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, or if you require chemotherapy, or know of someone in either of these situations, you may be seeking information about intravenous (I.V.) chemotherapy delivery options and ways that may help to decrease the discomfort associated with chemotherapy delivery.

Let's face it, getting chemotherapy isn't easy – no one likes getting stuck by a needle. The poking, prodding, and potential failed attempts to find a peripheral vein in your arms or hands can be painful. Also, repeated use of peripheral I.V.s for blood work and additional I.V.s may cause damage to the veins in your arm or hand.

By visiting this web site, you have taken the first step in learning more about the various types of vascular access devices – particularly implanted ports – and their advantages and disadvantages over other ways of receiving I.V. chemotherapy.³

9 out of 10 patients surveyed in one study stated that a port improved their quality of life due to decreased pain, need for fewer needle sticks, and quicker blood withdrawals.

Lifestyle. Implanted ports, compared to other centrally-placed vascular access devices, are more likely to permit you to go about your normal day-to-day activities, like showering, swimming, jogging, and playing with your children. Ask your doctor or nurse about specific activities and the appropriate time to resume them.

Comfort. Once placed, a port can remain for as long your doctor determines you need it. While the port itself will still need to be accessed with a special needle, there will be a decreased need for the sometimes painful poking and prodding to find a peripheral vein in the arms or hands with an I.V. every time you receive chemotherapy or have your blood drawn.

Increased Privacy and Appearance. Implanted ports are small and can be hidden from view. With an implanted port, there is no exposed device and, because ports are typically placed in the chest, there's no potential for bruised arms. No one needs to know about your treatment unless you want them to.

Long-term Health. Since ports are typically placed in the chest, port usage can reduce the likelihood of damage to the peripheral veins in your arm or hand. This may benefit a patient who needs blood work or I.V.s down the road.

According to a randomly selected, blinded U.S. national survey conducted by Bard Access Systems, Inc., 93% of responding oncology nurses surveyed ranked ports as their chemotherapy delivery method of choice¹

You can impact the way you fight cancer

A randomly selected, blinded survey of U.S. oncology nurses conducted by Bard Access Systems, Inc. has shown that:

• an estimated 27% of patients receive chemotherapy via peripheral I.V.¹
• 59% of patients who receive chemotherapy through a peripheral I.V. are unable to complete their therapy via peripheral I.V.¹
• More then half of all patients who begin chemotherapy via peripheral I.V. eventually need a vascular access device in order to complete their therapy.

Talk to your doctor or nurse to determine if a port is right for you- the decision to use a port or other vascular access device is between you and your healthcare provider.

A port is not for everyone- especially patients with a history of forming blood clots, who have had previous vascular access surgery, or who are not emotionally prepared to have an implanted medical device. Like any vascular access procedure, there is always a risk of complications, including venous blood clots, skin erosion, infection, a collapsed lung, or clotting of the port catheter. Talk to your physician or nurse about these and other risks, and whether a port or other treatments are right for you. For important safety information, please click here.