Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the chest may hurt the lungs. Cancer survivors who received both chemotherapy and radiation therapy may have a higher risk of lung damage. People who have had lung disease and older adults may have more lung problems.
Full Answer
What increases my risk of developing cancer?
Age, weight, exposure to carcinogens, and genetics can increase the risk of developing cancer. Learn more from this Did You Know? video produced by NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. It is usually not possible to know exactly why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t.
Why is it so difficult to treat cancer?
One of the main reasons for the difficulties associated with cancer treatment is the metastatic nature of cancer. The asymptomatic nature of certain cancers and the lack of diagnosis allow the cancer to spread to different parts of the body from its site of origin without any medical intervention.
What are the risks of cancer after radiation therapy?
There is also a risk for other cancers, which are mostly solid tumors, after having radiation therapy. Most of these cancers develop 10 years or more after radiation therapy. The effect of radiation on the risk of developing a solid tumor cancer depends on factors such as: The age of the patient when they were treated with radiation.
Which chemotherapy agents have an increased risk for second cancer?
Chemotherapy agents that have an increased risk for second cancers include: Alkylating agents (mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, melphalan, lomustine, carmustine, busulfan)
Are cancer patients more likely to contract the coronavirus disease?
Cancer patients and survivors may have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 and other infections. They, and people who live with and take care of them, should take steps to protect their health.
Does cancer increase the risk of severe COVID-19?
If you have cancer, you have a higher risk of severe COVID-19. Other factors that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 include having a weakened immune system (being immunocompromised), older age, and other medical conditions.
Are breast cancer patients at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 is low for most people. However, it's very important to know that people who are currently diagnosed with cancer, including breast cancer, have a higher risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19.
Is it safe for people with cancer to get any type of vaccine?
People with cancer (or with a history of cancer) can get some vaccines, but this depends on many factors, such as the type of vaccine, the type of cancer a person has (had), if they are still being treated for cancer, and if their immune system is working properly.
Which groups of people are at increased risks of severe illness from COVID-19?
Among adults, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Severe illness means that the person with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die. People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are also at increased risk for severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?
Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
Are people with autoimmune diseases considered high risk for COVID-19?
Researchers have reported higher rates of severe COVID-19 and death in people with autoimmune disease than in the general population. It is unclear whether this is attributable to the autoimmune disease, the immunosuppressive medications taken to treat it, or both.
Are immunocompromised people more likely to get COVID-19?
Being immunocompromised can make you more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 or be sick for a longer period of time. People who are immunocompromised or are taking medicines that weaken their immune system may not be protected even if they are up to date on their vaccines.
What are some exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Some people may be at risk for an adverse reaction because of an allergy to one of the vaccine components or a medical condition. This is referred to as a medical exemption. Some people may decline vaccination because of a sincerely held religious belief. This is referred to as a religious exemption.
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if have blood cancer?
Yes! COVID-19 vaccines are safe and offer protection to the majority of blood cancer patients and survivors. However, since not everyone will get full protection, LLS recommends that blood cancer patients and survivors get vaccinated plus layer on additional protections like wearing masks and social distancing.
What medications should be avoided before the COVID-19 vaccine?
It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine – such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen – before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.
Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised patients?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with a number of professional societies, endorse SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for the immunocompromised population. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines also recommend a third dose of an mRNA vaccine for severely immunocompromised patients.
What are the side effects of cancer treatment?
Talk with your doctor about any new symptoms or side effects that you experience. Fatigue. Fatigue is a constant feeling of physical, emotional, or mental tiredness. It is the most common side effect of cancer treatment. Some cancer survivors have fatigue for months or even years after finishing treatment.
How long after cancer treatment do side effects occur?
Many people who have had cancer treatment have a risk of developing long-term side effects. These side effects can happen months or years after treatment. Evaluating and treating late effects is an important part of cancer survivorship care.
How does radiation affect food?
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery may affect how a person digests food. Surgery or radiation therapy to the abdominal area can cause tissue scarring, long-term pain, and intestinal problems. Some survivors may have chronic diarrhea that reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
What are the side effects of radiation?
Increased risk of stroke from high doses of radiation to the brain. Nervous system side effects, including damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, called peripheral neuropathy. Cancer survivors should have regular physical examinations and hearing tests after treatment to check for these effects.
What medicine did you receive for Hodgkin lymphoma?
Are 65 and older. Received higher doses of chemotherapy. Received certain medicines, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin, Ogivri) and doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil) Below is a list of common heart conditions.
Does radiation damage bone marrow?
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also damage bone marrow stem cells. This increases the risk of either acute leukemia or myelodysplasia. Myelodysplasia is a blood cancer where the normal parts of the blood are either not made or are abnormal.
Can cancer patients have dental problems?
Cancer survivors may have dental and oral health and vision problems, depending on the treatments they received: Chemotherapy may affect tooth enamel and increase the risk of long-term dental problems. High doses of radiation therapy to the head and neck area may change tooth development.
BREAST CANCER
Maureen Chung, MD, PhD, Surgical Oncologist and Medical Director of the Southcoast Breast Program
COLORECTAL CANCER
Victor Pricolo, MD, Chief of General & Colorectal Surgery Who is at high risk? Those at high risk of colon cancer include people with a first-degree relative or more than one relative with colorectal cancer.
PROSTATE CANCER
Who is at high risk? African-American men and men who have a first-degree relative on the father’s side with prostate cancer are considered to be at high risk.
Leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome
Past radiation exposure is one risk factor for most kinds of leukemia, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a bone marrow cancer that can turn into acute leukemia, has also been linked to past radiation exposure.
Solid tumors
There is also a risk for other cancers, which are mostly solid tumors, after having radiation therapy. Most of these cancers develop 10 years or more after radiation therapy. The effect of radiation on the risk of developing a solid tumor cancer depends on factors such as:
Chemotherapy
Some types of chemotherapy (chemo) drugs have been linked with different kinds of second cancers. The cancers most often linked to chemo are myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Sometimes, MDS occurs first, then turns into AML. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) has also been linked to chemo.
Targeted therapy drugs
Some drugs used to treat cancer are called targeted therapy drugs because they were designed to find and attack certain genes or proteins that are in specific types of cancer. Targeted therapies are newer, so not a lot is known about the risk for second cancer yet.
What are the risk factors for cancer?
Cancer risk factors include exposure to chemicals or other substances, as well as certain behaviors. They also include things people cannot control, like age and family history. A family history of certain cancers can be a sign of a possible inherited cancer syndrome.
Can cancer be caused by a substance?
Such studies, on their own, cannot prove that a behavior or substance causes cancer.
Can you have cancer and another person doesn't?
It is usually not possible to know exactly why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But research has shown that certain risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. (There are also factors that are linked to a lower risk of cancer. These are sometimes called protective risk factors, or just protective factors.)
Can cancer be avoided?
The list below includes the most-studied known or suspected risk factors for cancer. Although some of these risk factors can be avoided, others—such as growing older—cannot. Limiting your exposure to avoidable risk factors may lower your risk of developing certain cancers. Age.
Why doesn't cancer spread after surgery?
Cancer does not spread because it has been exposed to air. If you delay or refuse surgery because of this myth, you may be harming yourself by not getting effective treatment.
What is the importance of a case with your health care team?
It is important that the expected benefits of the surgery outweigh the possible risks.
How to prevent infection before surgery?
Infections. Because getting an infection is serious, you may be asked to help prevent infection by washing with a special soap for a few days before surgery. This soap is especially good at killing bacteria, and can help to prepare your skin for surgery. This is one way you can help prevent an infection from happening.
Can a biopsy cause cancer?
With the smaller needle, the chances of a biopsy causing a cancer to spread or “seed” are very low. Still, some liver (hepatic), kidney (renal), and other tumors have a very small risk of this happening during a biopsy procedure.
Is cancer surgery dangerous?
Risks of Cancer Surgery. Before you decide to have surgery or any other procedure, it’s important that you understand the risks. Any type of medical procedure has risks. Different procedures have different kinds of risks and side effects. Be sure to discuss the details of your case with your health care team, who can give you a better idea about ...
Can cancer spread through surgery?
You may have heard that surgery for cancer can cause the cancer to spread. It's very rare for surgery to cause cancer to spread. Advances in equipment used during surgery and more detailed imaging tests have helped make this risk very low. Still, there are some important situations when this can happen.
Can cancer surgery cause side effects?
Possible side effects of cancer surgery. Possible complications during surgery may be caused by the surgery itself, drugs used, and your overall health. Generally speaking, the more complex the surgery is, the greater the risk of side effects. Minor operations and taking tissue samples (biopsies) usually have less risk than a bigger surgery.
Why are antibiotics important for cancer?
Effective antibiotics are a prerequisite for the continued success of modern cancer treatment as they are used both to prevent and treat bacterial infections. However, with bacteria becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, their continued effect can no longer be taken for granted.
What did Bengt do?
His way to re-covery was long and arduous and required him to go through chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantations. During peri-ods, Bengt’s immune system was significantly weakened due to the treatment and he needed antibiotic therapy no less than 15 times to keep infections at bay. Even if the cancer treatment in itself was effective, Bengt would likely not have survived if the antibiotics had not been working (1).
Can cancer patients get infections?
In fact, a large proportion of infections in cancer patients are caused by bacteria normally residing in or on the patient’s own body. A small study from India showed that almost three quarters of patients with blood cancers had bacteria resistant to carbapenem, a last-resort antibiotic, in their gut (12). However, the full picture of how often cancer patients are affected by resistant bacteria is still missing, due tolack of data. Single studies can however provide a snap shot of the current situation:
