- Infertility. One possible side effect that may not go away is infertility. Some anti-cancer drugs damage the ovaries. This may cause menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. ...
- Bone thinning. Women who experience menopause early because of chemotherapy may have a higher risk of the bone-thinning conditions osteopenia and osteoporosis. ...
- Heart damage. Chemotherapy carries a small risk of weakening the heart muscle and causing other heart problems. Certain chemotherapy medications are associated with a higher risk of future heart problems.
- Leukemia. Rarely, chemotherapy for breast cancer can trigger a secondary cancer, such as cancer of the blood cells (leukemia), several years after the chemotherapy is completed.
What are the side effects of breast cancer treatment?
Chemotherapy has many common side effects. Most side effects occur during treatment and begin to go away shortly after treatment ends. Others can last for months or even years. How common and how severe the side effects are depend on the chemotherapy drugs used.
How long do the side effects of chemotherapy last?
Possible side effects of chemo for breast cancer. Chemo drugs can cause side effects, depending on the type and dose of drugs given, and the length of treatment. Some of the most common possible side effects include: Hair loss; Nail changes; Mouth sores; Loss of appetite or weight changes; Nausea and vomiting; Diarrhea; Fatigue
What happens if you get sick after chemotherapy for breast cancer?
Breast cancer treatments can cause both temporary side effects that stop soon after treatment finishes and longer-term side effects. Ongoing side effects, such as hot flushes or fatigue (extreme tiredness), can stop you feeling that you’re moving forward after treatment. For some people, they’re a constant reminder of their breast cancer. Find out more about some common …
How can I manage the side effects of chemotherapy?
Many women are relieved to be finished with breast cancer treatment, but also worry about the cancer coming back and can feel lost when they don't see their cancer care team as often. But for some women with advanced breast cancer, the cancer may never go away completely. These women may continue to get treatments to help keep the breast cancer under control and to …
Does chemotherapy cause permanent damage?
Sometimes the side effects can last a lifetime, such as when chemo causes long-term damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs. Certain types of chemo sometimes cause delayed effects, such as a second cancer that may show up many years later.May 1, 2020
What are the long term effects of breast cancer treatment?
Long-term physical changes include anatomic changes, chronic pain, phantom breast pain, axillary web syndrome, and lymphedema. In addition, women may have decreased strength, aerobic capacity, mobility, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction.
Does chemotherapy have long term side effects?
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause long-term side effects to the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These include: Hearing loss from high doses of chemotherapy, especially drugs like cisplatin (multiple brand names) Increased risk of stroke from high doses of radiation to the brain.
What happens after chemo is finished?
Physical Changes and Strategies to Cope First and foremost, you may be noticing some physical changes in your life after chemo. Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells that grow and divide quickly – unfortunately, this sometimes results in fast-growing, healthy cells also being affected.May 23, 2019
What health complications are associated with breast cancer?
Possible Complications of Advanced Breast CancerPain.Bone complications.Lung complications.Liver complications.Brain complications.Treatment-related complications.
How long does it take to fully recover from breast cancer?
Most people find that their wounds take about 2 to 3 weeks to heal. The area may be bruised and swollen at first. This will get better and the scar will look lighter and flatter in time. You can usually shower after 48 hours if you have a waterproof dressing.
Do you ever fully recover from chemotherapy?
If you were treated with certain types of chemotherapy, you can also have many of the same problems. Some problems go away after treatment. Others last a long time, while some may never go away. Some problems may develop months or years after your treatment has ended.
How long is immune system compromised after chemo?
Now, new research suggests that the effects of chemotherapy can compromise part of the immune system for up to nine months after treatment, leaving patients vulnerable to infections – at least when it comes to early-stage breast cancer patients who've been treated with a certain type of chemotherapy.Jan 26, 2016
What is the life expectancy after chemotherapy?
During the 3 decades, the proportion of survivors treated with chemotherapy alone increased from 18% in 1970-1979 to 54% in 1990-1999, and the life expectancy gap in this chemotherapy-alone group decreased from 11.0 years (95% UI, 9.0-13.1 years) to 6.0 years (95% UI, 4.5-7.6 years).Mar 27, 2020
What is the fastest way to recover from chemotherapy?
Here's what they had to say.Get some rest. ... Stay hydrated. ... Eat when you can. ... Create a sense of normalcy in your routine. ... Look to your support and care teams to have your back through treatment. ... Keep things around that bring you comfort. ... Stay ahead of your nausea. ... Stay positive.More items...•Jun 21, 2019
When Is Chemotherapy used?
Not all women with breast cancer will need chemo, but there are several situations in which chemo may be recommended: 1. After surgery (adjuvant ch...
Which Chemotherapy Drugs Are Used For Breast Cancer?
In most cases (especially as adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment), chemo is most effective when combinations of drugs are used. Today, doctors use ma...
How Is Chemotherapy given?
Chemo drugs for breast cancer are typically given into a vein (IV), either as an injection over a few minutes or as an infusion over a longer perio...
Possible Side Effects of Chemo For Breast Cancer
Chemo drugs can cause side effects. These depend on the type and dose of drugs given, and the length of treatment. Some of the most common possible...
What drugs can cause numbness in the hands and feet?
Many drugs used to treat breast cancer, including taxanes (docetaxel, paclitaxel, and protein-bound paclitaxel), platinum agents (carboplatin , cisplatin), vinorelbine, eribulin, and ixabepilone, can damage nerves in the hands and arms and feet and legs. This can sometimes lead to symptoms in those areas like numbness, pain, burning or tingling sensations, sensitivity to cold or heat, or weakness. In most cases these symptoms go away once treatment is stopped, but in some women it might last a long time or may become permanent. There are medicines that could help with these symptoms .
How does chemo work for breast cancer?
Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer. Chemotherapy (chemo) uses anti-cancer drugs that may be given intravenously (injected into your vein) or by mouth. The drugs travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells in most parts of the body. Occasionally, chemo may be given directly into the spinal fluid which surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Can you get chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery?
For certain types of breast cancer, if there are tumor cells still found at the time of surgery (also called residual disease), you may be offered more chemotherapy after surgery to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back (recurrence).
How long does chemo last?
Adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemo is often given for a total of 3 to 6 months, depending on the drugs used. The length of treatment for advanced breast cancer depends on how well it is working and what side effects you have.
Can chemo be used for HER2?
For cancers that are HER2-positive, one or more drugs that target HER2 may be used with chemo. (See Targeted Therapy for Breast Cancer for more information about these drugs.)
Can chemo cause hair loss?
Chemo drugs can cause side effects. These depend on the type and dose of drugs given, and the length of treatment. Some of the most common possible side effects include: Hair loss.
Does chemo affect memory?
Many women who are treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer report a slight decrease in mental functioning. They may have some problems with concentration and memory, which may last a long time. Although many women have linked this to chemo, it also has been seen in women who did not get chemo as part of their treatment. Still, most women function well after treatment. In studies that have found chemo brain to be a side effect of treatment, the symptoms most often last for a few years.
How to plan for cancer survivorship?
Talk with your doctor about developing a survivorship care plan for you. This plan might include: 1 A suggested schedule for follow-up exams and tests 2 A schedule for other tests you might need in the future, such as early detection (screening) tests for other types of cancer, or tests to look for long-term health effects from your cancer or its treatment 3 A list of possible late- or long-term side effects from your treatment, including what to watch for and when you should contact your doctor 4 Diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle modification suggestions
What is a survivorship plan?
This plan might include: A schedule for other tests you might need in the future, such as early detection (screening) tests for other types of cancer, or tests to look for long-term health effects from your cancer or its treatment.
How long does breast cancer treatment last?
Almost any cancer treatment can have side effects. Some might only last for a few days or weeks, but others might last a long time.
Does breast cancer go away?
For some women with advanced breast cancer, the cancer may never go away completely. These women may continue to get treatments such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or other treatments to help keep the breast cancer under control and to help relieve symptoms from it. Learning to live with breast cancer that doesn’t go away can have its own type ...
What happens if cancer comes back?
If cancer does return, your treatment options will depend on where it comes back, what treatments you've had before, and your current health and preferences. For more information on how recurrent cancer is treated, see Treatment of Recurrent Breast Cancer .
Can you call your doctor about cancer?
However, if you have additional concerns about your cancer, you do not have to wait until your next scheduled visit. You can call your doctor immediately.
Do you need a mammogram after a mastectomy?
Women who've had a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) typically no longer need mammograms on that side. But unless you've had both breasts removed, you still need to have yearly mammograms on the remaining breast. To learn more, see Mammograms After Breast Cancer Surgery.
What are the side effects of breast cancer treatment?
Chemotherapy and radiation destroy breast cancer cells. But these treatments can also affect healthy cells and can change how you feel. They might cause: Loss of appetite. Nausea and vomiting. Weakness and fatigue. Mouth sores.
How does cancer affect fertility?
Here are some ways that cancer therapies may affect your fertility: Chemotherapy may lower the number of eggs your body releases to be fertilized. Radiation may damage your ovaries and uterus. Hormone therapy may interrupt your menstrual cycles and make it harder to conceive.
Can cancer patients get nausea?
Some -- but not all -- people getting cancer treatment will have nausea. It can happen right after treatment or a few days later. Ask your doctor about medications that can make you feel better. Also, keep track of when you’re nauseated. You may be able to spot patterns that can help you get ahead of the problem.
Can you lose hair after chemo?
Hair Loss. Not everyone will lose their hair during cancer treatment. It depends on the type of chemotherapy you get and the dose. Your doctor can tell you if you can expect hair loss. While some women will notice their hair gets thinner, others will lose it completely, including eyelashes and eyebrows.
What to do when you're nauseous?
Try foods at room temperature instead of very hot or cold. When you’re nauseated, try bland foods like crackers, gelatin, ice chips, rice, plain mashed potatoes, or applesauce. Call your doctor if you have severe nausea or you’re vomiting a lot. If you throw up, wait an hour before you eat or drink anything.
How to stop mouth soreness?
Choose soft foods that won’t irritate your mouth, such as scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, pureed cooked vegetables, and bananas. Cut food into small pieces.
How to prepare for chemotherapy?
Some women prepare by getting a short hair style before chemotherapy begins. You can also try hair wraps and wigs. When hair grows back, the texture may be different, but many women won’t notice any changes. The good news about hair loss is that it stops once treatment is over.
What are the symptoms of a symbiotic relationship?
The survivors were found to be statistically more likely to report and exhibit dysfunctional physical and mental characteristics and behaviors including: 1 Nocturia (frequent nighttime urination) 2 Dizziness 3 Forgetfulness 4 Appetite loss 5 Difficulty concentrating.
What are the side effects of radiation?
People who received radiation or chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer may experience side effects as long as a decade afterward, according to the results of a study in the oncology journal The Breast. These side effects may include dizziness, forgetfulness, anxiety, depression and cardiac dysfunction, reports DocWire News.
Does chemotherapy cause dizziness?
The type of treatment was also found to affect side effect risk. Women who had been treated with chemotherapy in place of or along with radiation, for example, experienced nocturia and forgetfulness at higher rates but dizziness at lower rates than women who had been treated with radiation alone.
What are the side effects of chemo?
Certain chemo drugs can damage cells in your heart. Chemotherapy may also increase your odds of having heart problems, such as: 1 Weakening of the heart muscle ( cardiomyopathy) 2 Problems with your heart rhythm ( arrhythmia) 3 Heart attack
Does chemo cause heart problems?
Heart. Certain chemo drugs can damage cells in your heart. Chemotherapy may also increase your odds of having heart problems, such as: Weakening of the heart muscle ( cardiomyopathy) Problems with your heart rhythm ( arrhythmia) Heart attack.
Does chemo make hair grow back?
Its texture, shape, and color may be different. Over time, as the effects of the chemo on your hair follicles wear off, your hair will probably go back to the way it was before treatment. In rare cases, such as after years of strong chemotherapy, your hair follicles could shut down. This can prevent new hair from growing, ...
Can chemotherapy make you tired?
But some people still feel extremely tired after treatment ends. You may find that even when you get enough rest, you still feel sluggish. Talk to your doctor for suggestions on how to raise your energy level. Chemotherapy can affect your ability to have children, whether you're a man or woman.
Can chemo cause fertility issues?
Fertility. Chemotherapy can affect your ability to have children, whether you're a man or woman. For guys, the reason has to do with the way chemo drugs target fast-growing cancer cells. Since healthy sperm cells divide quickly, chemo can also damage them.
Can you have children after chemo?
If chemo kills the immature stem cells in your testicles that become new sperm, you may become infertile, which means you can't have children . If you're a woman, chemotherapy can damage your eggs and harm your ovaries. You may stop having regular menstrual cycles after treatment.
Does chemotherapy affect fertility?
For both men and women, chemotherapy's effect on fertility depends on a number of things, including the type of drugs you used and the dose. The higher the dose of chemo, the more likely it is to have an impact. If you're having long-term effects from chemo, talk to your doctor to get tips on how to manage them.
What are the side effects of chemo?
Side effects depend on the types and doses of chemotherapy drugs prescribed by your oncology team. Common chemotherapy side effects include: 1 hair loss 2 nausea and vomiting 3 fatigue or extreme tiredness 4 loss of appetite 5 bleeding or bruising 6 anemia (low red blood cell count) 7 low white blood cell count 8 rash 9 numbness and/or tingling in fingers or toes 10 taste changes
What to do if you have HER2?
If you have HER2-positive breast cancer, your oncology team will prescribe a combination of anticancer drugs. This treatment regimen will likely include a few different chemotherapy drugs as well as therapy that specifically targets HER2-positive breast cancers.
How long does chemo last?
Chemotherapy generally lasts about three to six months. The total length of chemotherapy treatment may vary depending on the stage of breast cancer and a number of other factors.
What is chemo therapy?
What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy, or chemo, is the use of medicines to kill cancer cells and stop new ones from growing. Cancer cells multiply very quickly, so chemotherapy drugs target cells in the body that grow and divide very quickly. Other cells in the body, including those in the bone marrow, the lining of the mouth and gut, ...
What is the best treatment for HER2 positive breast cancer?
Your oncology team may refer to these medications as “targeted therapy” or “HER2-directed therapy.”. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) and pertuzumab (Perjeta) are the most commonly used drugs used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer.
What is the first line of treatment for HER2?
If you have HER2-positive breast cancer, first-line treatment will likely include a targeted drug and chemotherapy. Ask your oncology team any questions you have about targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and your treatment schedule. Last medically reviewed on April 15, 2019.
What happens if your white blood cell count is low?
low white blood cell count. rash. numbness and/or tingling in fingers or toes. taste changes. Chemotherapy can destroy red blood cells. These are the cells that help carry oxygen to all the different tissues and organs in your body. If your red blood cell count is low, you might be told that you have anemia.
Can breast cancer patients take supplements?
Breast Cancer Patients Advised Not to Use Supplements During Treatment. Experts say vitamins and other supplements can lessen the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. ALTO IMAGES/Stocksy. Researchers say vitamins and other supplements taken during breast cancer treatment can cause a higher risk of recurrence.
Can antioxidants interfere with cancer treatment?
But some supplements, particularly antioxidants, may interfere with cancer treatment.
Is there a problem with multivitamins?
She’s less concerned about multivitamins. “Data shows there aren’t issues with multivitamins because they’re not high dose. Other studies on multivitamins show no benefits or negatives to taking them,” Fancher said. Fancher points out that most people being treated for cancer have multiple doctors.
Is it bad to take supplements?
“If you’re under the care of a physician, taking some supplementation is not necessarily bad. If you have a special condition that requires it, that’s fine.