Schedule rest periods or naps into your day. A healthy diet and gentle physical activity can help maintain energy and speed healing. Nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, but their severity and how long they last can vary.
Full Answer
What is palliative care for cancer treatment?
Cancer and cancer treatment often cause a variety of side effects. Relieving these side effects is an important part of cancer care and may be called palliative care or supportive care. It is important to talk with your health care team about the specific side effects you experience and the best ways to manage and treat them.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy for cancer?
Side Effects of Cancer Treatment. Hair loss is one of the best known side effects of chemotherapy, but neutropenia is one of the most dangerous. Cancer treatments may have many side effects. A side effect occurs when treatment damages healthy cells.
How does the app work for people with cancer?
The app allows you to record symptoms and side effects and offers several other helpful features for people with cancer. To learn about how the long-term side effects of cancer and cancer treatment are managed, see Cancer.Net's Late Effects section.
How can I track the side effects of cancer treatment?
To easily track the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment, Cancer.Net offers a free mobile application for iOS and Android called Cancer.Net Mobile. The app allows you to record symptoms and side effects and offers several other helpful features for people with cancer.
How do you manage the side effects of cancer treatment?
Nausea and VomitingEat five or six small meals rather than three big ones.Take your time when you eat and drink.Drink an hour before or after meals rather than when you eat. ... Avoid strong-smelling foods. ... Pass on sweets, and fried and fatty foods, which may make you queasy.
What reduces physical and psychological effects of cancer?
Approaches can include the following:Training in relaxation, meditation, or stress management.Counseling or talk therapy.Cancer education sessions.Social support in a group setting.Medications for depression or anxiety.Exercise.
How do people cope with cancer treatment?
Let your health care team know what you'd prefer.Keep the lines of communication open. Maintain honest, two-way communication with your loved ones, doctors and others after your cancer diagnosis. ... Maintain a healthy lifestyle. ... Let friends and family help you. ... Review your goals and priorities. ... Fight stigmas.
How do you manage the side effects of radiation?
Radiation therapy side effects: 5 tips to copeGet enough sleep during radiation therapy. ... Treat skin exposed to radiation with TLC. ... Maintain a well-balanced diet. ... Commit to physical activity. ... Get the support you need.
How does cancer affect someone physically?
Physical symptoms vary across cancer types and treatment modalities but commonly include fatigue, sleep disturbances, pain, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, neuropathy, skin rashes or toxicity, cachexia, arthralgias, myalgias, lymphedema, impaired sexual functioning, and cognitive problems [5, 6].
How does cancer affect the body physically?
A cancer can grow into,or begin to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This pressure causes some of the signs and symptoms of cancer. A cancer may also cause symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness (fatigue), or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells use up much of the body's energy supply.
What are the five most common coping strategies that have been identified for cancer patients?
The most common coping strategies were religion, acceptance, self-distraction, planning, active coping, positive reframing and denial.
How do you stay calm after cancer diagnosis?
Express Your Feelings Some sort out their feelings by talking to friends or family, other cancer survivors, a support group, or a counselor. But even if you prefer not to discuss your cancer with others, you can still sort out your feelings by thinking about them or writing them down.
How can I overcome anxiety and cancer?
Approaches that have been shown to be helpful for managing anxiety and distress in cancer survivors include a type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, self-management, exercise, and—in some cases—antianxiety or antidepressant medications.
How can you prevent and lessen the harmful effects of radiation?
Use Time Distance and Shielding to Protect Yourself. Putting distance and shielding between you and a radiation source is an immediately effective way of reducing your exposure. Reducing the time you are being exposed is another way. Use a Respirator or Face Mask if You are exposed to airborne sources.
How can I help someone going through chemo and radiation?
What you can do: VisitsAlways call before you visit. ... Schedule a visit that allows you to give physical and emotional support for the caregiver, too. ... Make short, regular visits rather than long, infrequent ones. ... Begin and end the visit with a touch, a hug, or a handshake.Be understanding if you are asked .More items...•
What precautions should be taken after radiation therapy?
With internal radiation, you may need to avoid touching the patient until the implant is removed or limit the time you spend very close to them. With systemic radiation therapy, you may also have to avoid the person's bodily fluids for a few days after treatment.
What factors should be considered when treating cancer?
Your doctor will likely consider other factors, including the type and stage of cancer, your treatment history, current medications, diet, sleep and/or rest patterns, psychological profile, general health and other factors (e.g., anemia, breathing problems, decreased muscle strength, etc.).
How to determine pain control for cancer?
Pain may also slow your recovery from cancer treatment. To determine an appropriate pain control plan for you, your doctor may ask you to describe your pain, or rate it on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means no pain and 10 means the worst pain you can imagine .
Why is pain important for cancer patients?
Proper pain control is important because the pain may get worse if ignored. Also, when cancer pain is not treated properly, you may be tired, depressed, angry, worried, lonely or stressed.
What is cancer fatigue?
Cancer-related fatigue is an unusual and persistent lack of energy or sense of tiredness and exhaustion related to cancer or its treatment. If you are suffering from cancer-related fatigue, even simple activities, such as talking on the telephone, shopping for groceries or walking across a room can seem like too much.
Is it necessary to take medication every day?
But many times, medication isn’t necessary. In fact, simple lifestyle-related changes like eating a specific diet or adding light exercise to the daily routine may help significantly.
Can cancer be treated with medication?
Cancer pain may be treated with medication (e.g., analgesics, also called “pharmacological pain relief”), without medication (e.g., non-drug treatments, also called “noninvasive measures”), with other treatments (e.g., surgery, radiation therapy, nerve blocks) or with a combination of methods.
Can cancer cause hair loss?
Hair loss. Some cancer treatments may cause you to lose some or all of your hair (alopecia). For instance, while chemotherapy attacks rapidly growing cancer cells, some chemotherapy drugs may also damage healthy cells, such as hair follicles. Hair loss may include scalp, facial, axillary, pubic and body hair.
How to reduce the chance of infection during chemo?
Washing your hands often will lower your chance of getting an infection during chemotherapy. Talk with your doctor about other ways to lower your risk of getting an infection. You should call your doctor right away if you notice any signs of an infection, especially a fever.
Can cancer drugs make you forget things?
The drugs used to treat cancer can cause some people to have trouble concentrating or remembering things. This is often called “chemo brain,”#N#external icon#N#and it can make it hard for cancer patients to do their jobs or everyday tasks.
Can cancer cause blood clots?
Cancer Pain. Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis) Other Side Effects. Cancer treatments may have many side effects. A side effect occurs when treatment damages healthy cells. Side effects can be different for each person, and for different medicines and kinds of treatment. If you think you’re experiencing any side effects, talk to your medical team.
Can cancer cause tiredness?
Cancer treatments can cause many other side effects, including tiredness, trouble eating, and depression. The National Cancer Institute#N#external icon#N#and the American Cancer Society#N#external icon#N#describe many of these problems and offer tips for preventing or coping with them.
Can cancer make you sick?
Cancer treatments can make you feel sick to your stomach, and to vomit. Sometimes, cancer patients feel sick just from thinking about cancer treatment. Fortunately, medicines can help control nausea and make you feel better. Tell your doctor when you feel sick, so he or she can find the medicine that works best for you.
Does a cooling cap help with chemotherapy?
may help you keep more of your hair . A cooling cap fits tightly on your head and keeps your scalp cold before, during, and after your chemotherapy treatment. Studies have found that how well a cooling cap works depends on the kind of chemotherapy you receive.
Does cancer cause pain?
Cancer itself and treatments for it may cause pain. Pain can make it harder to do your normal activities, and lower your quality of life. Pain control is an important part of your cancer treatment plan. Talk to your doctor if you have pain.
Why do people with cancer have pain?
Pain. People with cancer may have pain for a number of reasons. Healthcare professionals can help you manage your pain in the hospital, local community, or at home. Tiredness and fatigue. Fatigue is feeling very tired most, or all, of the time. It is a very common problem for people with cancer.
How to help with breathlessness?
There are different ways to help manage breathlessness. Nausea and vomiting. Cancer and its treatment can make you feel sick (nauseous) or be sick (vomit). There are drugs that can help control this. Infection. Cancer and its treatments can weaken the immune system.
Can cancer cause lymphoedema?
Cancer and its treatments can weaken the immune system. It is important to try and avoid infection if your immunity is reduced. Lymphoedema can develop months or even years after cancer treatment. If you're living with lymphoedema we have information and support for you.
Does cancer affect physical health?
Physical impacts of cancer and treatment. You might experience a range of physical symptoms and side effects during cancer treatment. Find out more about them, and how you can cope with them. People with cancer may have pain for a number of reasons.
Can cancer cause hair loss?
Cancer treatments can cause hair loss. We have information about wigs, hats, scalp care and more to help you deal with hair loss. Some types of cancer treatment can cause side effects that affect your bladder and bowel. There are things you can do to manage these.
How to help cancer survivors?
Fatigue: Feeling tired is common among cancer survivors. Exercise, relaxation skills and strategies to preserve your energy can help . Hair loss: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause temporary hair loss. Hearing loss: Chemotherapy medications and high doses of radiation therapy to the brain can damage hearing.
What screenings are recommended for cancer survivors?
Bone-density screenings are also recommended. Cancer recurrence: Cancer survivors face the possibility that their cancer will return. Cancer treatment can also increase the risk that a patient will develop a new type of cancer. Talk with your provider about regular screenings and other follow-up appointments.
What causes pain in the brain after chemotherapy?
Pain: Pain may result from cancer, surgery, nerve damage caused by chemotherapy or other factors. Your provider can offer medications and other remedies. Peripheral neuropathy: Chemotherapy, surgery or radiation can damage peripheral nerves, the nerves that transmit messages to and from the brain and spinal cord.
How long after radiation therapy do side effects appear?
You should also know that some side effects lessen over time, and others may not appear until months or years after treatment. Anemia: Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and some cancer types can deplete red blood cells, ...
Can radiation damage the lungs?
Lung issues: Chemotherapy or chest radiation therapy can damage the lungs. Oxygen therapy, weight loss, exercise, medication and stopping smoking might be recommended. Lymphedema: The removal of lymph nodes can leave the body's lymph system unable to drain fluid from parts of the body.
Can chemotherapy cause memory loss?
Learning and memory problems: Chemotherapy can cause trouble with memory, concentration or finding the right word, a condition often called "chemo brain.". Our rehabilitation services can help. Loss of appetite: Cancer treatments can make food less appealing and can cause nausea and vomiting.
Can cancer medications cause diabetes?
Diabetes: Cancer medications can raise your blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), increasing your risk of developing diabetes even after treatment. Let your doctor know if you have dizziness, light-headedness, or increased thirst or urination.
