The systemic side‐effects of chemotherapy vary for every individual and are influenced by the drug or combination of drugs that the patient is receiving (Yarbro et al. [276]). The essential prerequisite of chemotherapy delivery is a comprehensive medical or nursing assessment of the patient in order to ascertain fitness for treatment. The assessment also allows the determination of response to therapy (i.e. tumour markers) and regulation of the dose of drugs in relation to toxicity (Dougherty and Bailey [61]). Using tools such as a chemotherapy symptom assessment scale (CSAS) can enhance the accuracy of reporting the symptoms experienced by the patient while receiving chemotherapy, which can have a positive impact upon the nursing and medical interventions offered. Such tools are essentially a patient‐held record of symptoms following chemotherapy and reflect the extent to which the symptoms impact upon the daily life of the patient. The patient produces the record at each cycle of chemotherapy and the information is used to plan interventions to suit their individual needs. Patients require information relating to their chemotherapy treatment as well as information regarding possible side‐effects and how to manage them (Roe and Lennan [208]).