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If you are obese, receiving chemotherapy based on your actual weight means that you'll receive more chemotherapy than if the dose is based on an ideal weight or a limited estimate. A higher dose based on your weight may help the chemotherapy work better to treat the cancer, and the research shows that receiving such a dose does not necessarily increase the side effects from treatment. Whatever dose you receive, your doctor will monitor your side effects closely. It's important to talk with your health care team about the specific type of chemotherapy recommended for you, how much of each drug you will receive, and how and when it will be given.