Do you also experience side effects from cancer treatment (chemotherapy)? Let's talk about this!

As a treatment for cancer, you too `( When taking chemotherapy , it is normal to experience side effects. Simply put, chemotherapy uses drugs to kill fast-growing cells, such as cancer cells. These drugs stop the cancer cells from dividing and growing. Chemotherapy is a powerful cancer-fighting drug, which is why doctors often recommend it.

Why does chemotherapy cause side effects?

However, there is a slight downside to this. Chemotherapy drugs cannot tell the difference between fast-growing cancer cells and fast-growing healthy cells. So, when these chemotherapy drugs also damage healthy cells, you get side effects. The types of cells that are most likely to be damaged by chemotherapy are:

• Your skin cells and hair roots (hair follicles).
• Cells inside the mouth ((mucosa)), cells in the digestive system, and cells in the reproductive system .
• The bone marrow contains blood-forming cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets).

But there is good news. Even though the damaged cancer cells die, our healthy cells can grow back. Most people are given chemotherapy in cycles, or rounds. This gives your cells time to grow back. Giving your body time to heal makes it easier to manage side effects.

No one knows what you're like. Whether there will be side effects and how severe they will be. However, knowing about the possible side effects and how to manage them will help you cope better with chemotherapy.

What are the most common side effects of chemotherapy?

The side effects you experience depend on which healthy cells are damaged by the chemotherapy drugs. Many of these depend on the type of chemotherapy drug you receive and the dosage (`(dosage)`). The most common side effects are:

• Fatigue: This is the most common side effect of chemotherapy. You may feel very tired and exhausted as your body tries to fight the cancer and recover from the treatment. Chemotherapy can also cause anemia, which can make you feel tired.
• Hair loss : Hair loss usually begins within the first three weeks of starting chemo. Sometimes this hair loss can be permanent. However, most hair starts to grow back within two to three months after treatment ends. However, the color and texture of the new hair may be different from what it was before.
• Skin changes: Chemotherapy can cause your skin to itch and become red. Sometimes, you may develop blisters on your hands and soles of your feet (hand-foot syndrome). Also, your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight while taking chemotherapy, so you may be more likely to get sunburned.
• Nausea and vomiting: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) affects about 80% of people receiving chemotherapy. So, you're more likely to feel sick to your stomach.
• Changes in Bowel Habits: Chemo can cause constipation and diarrhea. Some people may also become temporarily lactose intolerant while taking chemo.
• Loss of appetite: Chemotherapy can change your sense of taste and make you lose your desire to eat. For example, bitter foods may taste more bitter than usual. All foods may taste metallic.
• Difficulty eating: Mouth sores and a sore throat can make eating painful. These are also common side effects of chemo.
• Bladder and kidney problems: Some chemotherapy drugs can make it difficult to urinate and completely empty your bladder. You may experience pain or burning when you urinate, a feeling of having to urinate frequently, or involuntary leakage of urine ( urinary incontinence ).
• A weakened immune system: Chemotherapy can lower your white blood cell count, which increases your risk of getting sick. People who are taking chemo are especially at risk for a condition called neutropenia, which is a decrease in a type of cell that fights infection.
• Bruising and bleeding: Chemo can cause your platelet count to drop. When your platelets are low (thrombocytopenia), you may bleed more easily if you get injured. You may bruise easily, and sometimes you may see small red spots (petechiae) under the skin.
• Peripheral neuropathy: This condition caused by chemotherapy (Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy - CIPN) can cause pain , numbness, and pins and needles in parts of your body, especially your hands and feet. You may also have difficulty controlling your muscles.
• Trouble thinking and remembering: A condition called "chemo brain" can make you unable to think clearly. Some people who take chemo have memory problems, especially short-term memory problems.
• Sex and fertility issues: Chemotherapy can cause low levels of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. This can affect your ability to have children and your sex drive. This can also lead to early menopause. Some chemotherapy drugs can harm an unborn baby if you become pregnant or get someone else pregnant during treatment.

How to control the side effects of chemotherapy?

Your doctor can advise you on what you can do to manage the side effects you are currently experiencing. In the meantime, there are some effective ways to help you.

Control fatigue.

These things will help you manage fatigue during and after your chemo treatment:

• Keep track of your new energy levels: Note when you feel the most tired and why. Keep a journal for a week. Once you understand your energy levels, it will be easier to plan your day.
• Plan your daily routine: Imagine that you have less energy than usual for your daily tasks. With these new limitations, decide which tasks need to be prioritized, which can be postponed, or which can be helped.
• Balance work and rest: Take frequent breaks while doing some light daily exercise, such as walking. It's fine to take a short nap (30 minutes or less) during the day, but don't sleep so much that you can't fall asleep at night.
• Think about your health: Eat nutritious foods, get enough exercise, get enough sleep, and manage stress. See a dietitian or psychologist for help planning a healthy routine to cope with chemo.

Get ready to go hair.

You can do these things to help your hair grow:

• Plan ahead for changes: Get a wig that matches your hair. Add hats, headscarves, and scarves to your wardrobe. Ask your doctor about programs like “Look Good Feel Better,” which can help you manage the effects of chemo on your appearance.
• Be gentle with your hair: Avoid shampooing too often and using styling products that can damage your hair. This includes styling tools that use heat. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a towel.
• Protect your head and scalp: When going outside, wear a cap, headband, scarf, or hat made of soft cotton fabric to protect your head.

Treat skin changes

In addition to taking care of your skin, you should do these things:

• Be gentle with your skin: Avoid using products like cosmetics, perfumes, powders, and strong-smelling creams that can irritate your skin. Clean your skin with lukewarm water and a mild soap. Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it with a towel.
• Protect your skin from damage: Do not apply heat (such as a heating pad) or cold (such as an ice pack) directly to your skin. Do not apply medical tape or bandages to damaged skin unless your doctor tells you to.
• Protect yourself from the sun: When you go outside, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply frequently. You can also wear a large hat or protective clothing to cover your skin.
• Let your skin breathe: Wear loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibers like cotton.

Control nausea, vomiting, and changes in bowel movements

To reduce the risk of digestive problems (or reduce their severity), do these things:

• Plan your meals around your chemotherapy treatment: Eating too much before or after your chemotherapy treatment can increase your risk of nausea. Allow enough time to eat during your treatment.
• Eat mindfully: Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Chew your food thoroughly so that your body has enough time to digest it. Avoid spicy, oily, and hard-to-digest foods. Avoid foods that fill you up, as well as milk and dairy products if they cause diarrhea.
• Drink water mindfully: Drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, but drink it between meals instead of with meals. To ease stomach upset, drink cold beverages like plain soda, unsweetened fruit juices, and flavored drinks. Ice packs and gelatin are also good.
• Rest, relax: Rest after eating so your stomach has time to settle.
• Take medication (as prescribed): Your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve symptoms.

If you have loss of appetite or difficulty eating

Don't let eating feel like a chore, you may need to change the way you prepare meals and snacks, and the way you eat. You can:

• Improve the taste of food: To eliminate the metallic taste, you can eat sour fruits or suck on fruit-flavored sour toffee. Avoid using metal utensils. If your sense of taste has decreased, you can try new flavorings, such as salad dressing.
• Keep your mouth moist to make swallowing easier: Drinking fluids while eating or trying liquid nutritional drinks can help keep your mouth moist. Suck on ice cubes or sugar-free candy during meals. Artificial saliva and Biotene ® products can also help.
• Treat mouth sores gently: To prevent mouth sores from getting worse, eat soft foods at room temperature. Avoid carbonated drinks, dairy foods, and acidic foods (like lemon). Try to avoid coffee, chocolate, and alcohol. Your doctor may recommend a soft diet.

For bladder and kidney problems

These things can help control or prevent bladder and kidney problems:

• Drink fluids wisely: Drink six to eight 8-ounce cups of fluids a day, but avoid drinks that make you urinate frequently, such as coffee and alcohol.
• Reduce your risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs): Take a shower instead of a bath, wear cotton underwear, and avoid tight clothing. If you use a catheter, follow your doctor's instructions on how to care for it.
• Plan to go to the bathroom: Plan to go to the bathroom every few hours, and take time to urinate before exercising and before going to bed.

Strengthen a weakened immune system

These things will help prevent infections while undergoing ``Chemo'':

• Get all recommended vaccinations: Protect yourself by getting all your vaccines on time.
• Follow good hygiene practices: washing your hands frequently, wearing clean, dry clothes, and promptly cleaning and bandaging any wounds can reduce the risk of infection.
• Protect yourself from the spread of germs: Avoid close contact with sick people until they recover. Wear a mask if you are at risk of catching airborne bacteria or viruses. Cook food thoroughly to prevent food poisoning.
• Get a shot to increase your white blood cells (if recommended): Your doctor may recommend a shot of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). This treatment stimulates your body to make new white blood cells to replace those damaged by chemotherapy.

If you suspect you have an infection and you are taking `(Chemo)`, see your doctor immediately. Symptoms include fever and chills. Infections that develop while taking `(Chemo)` can be serious and even life-threatening.

Minimize bruising and bleeding

These things will help reduce the risk of bruising and bleeding:

• Try to prevent falls: Take steps to prevent falls both indoors and outdoors.
• Try to avoid cuts: Use a soft toothbrush to prevent bleeding gums. Shaving with an electric razor to reduce the risk of cuts. Moisturize your skin with a gentle, unscented moisturizer, and use lip balm to prevent chapped lips. If these areas become too dry, they can bleed.
• Avoid certain medications: Some over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. Ask your doctor which medications are safe to take.

See your doctor right away if you have bleeding that you can't stop (lasting more than a few minutes), or if you have blood in your urine or stool. Also tell your doctor if you have vaginal bleeding that isn't your period.

For numbness and pain in the extremities (Peripheral neuropathy)

Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, such as numbness or pain in your hands or feet. Depending on your symptoms, they may need to change your chemotherapy dose to prevent nerve damage. They may also need to prescribe painkillers to help relieve your symptoms.

Think, if it's hard to remember

These things will help sharpen your mind and memory:

• See a psychologist or therapist: See a mental health provider regularly to take care of your mental health. Cancer is a major stressor. Mental health care is essential during this time.
• Get enough sleep: Get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Your body (and mind) needs this time to recover and rejuvenate.
• Exercise your mind: Exercise your brain regularly by reading books, doing puzzles, and engaging in other activities that challenge your mind. Ask your doctor about appropriate activities.
• Try to stay organized: Take notes and create a designated place to keep them to reduce the stress on your memory. Keep the things you use most in your home organized so that you can easily find them.

For sexual and fertility issues

Having cancer doesn't mean that things like intimacy and family planning don't become less important. Here are some things you can do to help these areas of your life:

• Get guidance on sexual issues: Talk to your doctor about any challenges you're having in bed. They can prescribe medication to help ease symptoms like vaginal discomfort or erectile dysfunction. Talking to a therapist who is open about sex can also help.
• Plan a pregnancy: Talk to your doctor about your desire to have children before starting treatment. They can give you advice on how to plan a safe pregnancy. They can also refer you to resources such as sperm banking and cryopreservation, which can help you have children after treatment.

When do the side effects start?

Many people experience side effects like fatigue and nausea within a few days of receiving chemotherapy. Also, if you experience things like constipation or diarrhea, they usually start soon after you start receiving chemotherapy. Symptoms usually follow a pattern. Often, they are at their worst right after you start chemotherapy and then gradually improve before the next round of treatment.

Hair loss and fatigue are two different things. Hair usually starts to fall out within the first three weeks of treatment. It grows back after treatment is over. Fatigue often increases with each round of `(Chemo)`. This means that if you feel weak after the first `(Chemo)` session, you may feel even weaker after the second.

However, there is no set schedule for when chemotherapy side effects start. Some side effects may occur in the middle or towards the end of your treatment. How you feel depends on your overall health and the type of treatment you are receiving.

Will your body fully recover after chemotherapy?

Most side effects go away within a few months of treatment, and it takes about six months to a year for most people to return to their previous level of strength.

Some side effects can last for months, even years. Others start after treatment ends and are long-lasting. Long-term side effects that can occur after chemotherapy include:

• Fatigue: Between 15% and 35% of cancer patients experience chronic cancer-related fatigue.
• Numbness and pain in the extremities (Peripheral neuropathy): Some people may experience the effects of peripheral neuropathy for months or even years. However, for most people, sensation gradually returns.
• Brain fog: Difficulty thinking and memory problems can persist for months or years after chemotherapy treatment ends.
• Bone loss: Chemotherapy can weaken your bones, increasing your risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Ask your doctor about the potential long-term side effects of chemotherapy, depending on your treatment plan. If you have side effects that you can't manage on your own, ask them to refer you to palliative care services that can help. Palliative care is not hospice care. Its goal is to relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life, regardless of your treatment goals.

"One of the hardest answers to get when you ask about treatment risks and side effects is: 'It depends.' But when it comes to `(Chemotherapy)` (as old as it may sound), everyone's experience is really different. Also, you can't say that the same side effects that come after your first round of `(Chemo)` will come after the second, third, or fourth round.

"Your doctor can advise you on the most common side effects to expect based on your specific treatment regimen. They can help you develop a plan to manage them if they occur. That plan should always include letting your doctors know what symptoms you're having. Then they can help you manage them as best they can."

Things you need to remember from this article

Okay, so we've talked a lot about the side effects of chemotherapy. Here are some of the most important things to remember:

• Although chemotherapy is a powerful treatment that destroys cancer cells, it can also damage healthy cells, which is why side effects occur.
• Fatigue, hair loss, nausea, and loss of appetite are common.
• Everyone's experience is different. The side effects you experience, and their severity, may be different from someone else's.
• Most side effects are temporary and go away once treatment is finished, but some may persist.
• The most important thing is to talk to your doctor about any discomfort you're having. They can help you, teach you ways to manage side effects, and prescribe medication if necessary.
• You are not alone, there are doctors, nurses, family, and friends who are there to help you on this journey. So it is very important to stay strong.

I hope you find this information useful!

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