Shall we talk about the side effects of breast cancer treatment?

I understand how overwhelming it must be to be diagnosed with breast cancer. At the same time, it is very normal to feel scared and worried about the side effects of the treatments. But don't worry, being aware of this is the best step to overcome this challenge. Today, we will talk about these treatments and their possible side effects, as if we were talking to a best friend.

What treatments are given to kill cancer cells?

There are several main types of treatments that can be used to kill breast cancer cells without surgery. Your doctor may recommend one or more of these for you.

• Chemotherapy: This involves giving the body drugs that destroy cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy: Destroying cancer cells using high-energy rays.
• Hormone therapies: Blocking hormones that help cancer cells grow.
• Immunotherapies: Stimulate the body's own immune system to fight cancer cells.
• Targeted therapies: Drugs that specifically target and attack cancer cells.

Although these treatments kill cancer cells, they can sometimes affect healthy cells in our body. That's what we call side effects. But remember, not everyone gets all of these side effects. Also, there are good medications and methods to control and reduce many of these things.

What are the most common side effects?

You may experience these things during treatment. Let's talk about each one in detail.

• Appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling of extreme fatigue and weakness
• Mouth sores or dry mouth
• Change in the taste of food
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Early menopause
• Increased risk of infections
• Bleeding
• Diarrhea

Loss of appetite

Treatments can reduce your appetite. Sometimes food tastes different. This can make it challenging to get the nutrition you need. But there are things we can do about it.

• Instead of 3 large meals a day, eat several small meals .
• Add nutritional shakes to your meals.
• Eat your main meal of the day when you feel the most hungry .
• Drink water half an hour before or after meals. Drinking water while eating can make you feel full faster.
• Prepare meals that are visually pleasing by adding different colored vegetables and fruits .
• Ask your doctor and do some exercise if possible. It can increase your appetite.

Nausea and vomiting

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can cause nausea and vomiting. This can happen right after treatment or a few days later. When you tell your doctor about this, they will give you medication to control it.

• Stay away from oily, sour foods, and citrus.
• Instead of eating very hot or very cold food, try eating food at room temperature .
• When you feel nauseous, eat bland, non- spicy foods like crackers, jelly, rice, mashed potatoes, and applesauce.
• Stay away from smells that make you uncomfortable when eating.

If you are vomiting a lot, you should definitely tell your doctor. After vomiting, don't eat or drink anything for about an hour. Then start with something like an ice cube at a time, and gradually add food.

Fatigue

The fatigue we feel during cancer treatment is different from the fatigue we usually feel after a day's work. It's a constant, unbearable fatigue. You can feel this fatigue for no reason, even if you've slept well.

• Get plenty of rest. Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Take a few naps during the day. But avoid drinking things like coffee late in the day.
• Exercise. It may seem strange, but just walking a short distance can energize your body. The more active you are, the better you will sleep at night.
• Save your energy for the things that really matter to you. Get help from family and friends with household chores and shopping.
• Eat plenty of iron-rich foods (lean meats, beans, dark green vegetables). If you have a low red blood cell count (a condition we call `anemia`), your doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment.

Mouth and throat sores

Some treatments can cause pain and sores in the mouth and throat (mucositis). In such cases, seek advice from your doctor or dentist.

• Eat soft, easy -to-digest foods (eggs, macaroni, well-cooked and mashed vegetables, bananas).
• Cut food into small pieces and eat.
• Avoid sour, spicy, salty, and rough foods.

Let's learn about hair loss.

This is something that makes many people feel uncomfortable. But remember, not all treatments will cause hair loss. It depends on the type of treatment and the dosage.

• Chemotherapy: This is the main cause of hair loss. Some people's hair becomes thinner, while others lose all their hair, including their eyelashes and eyebrows.
• Hormone therapy: These cause relatively little hair loss. You may notice some thinning of the hair at the front or middle of the head.
• Radiation: Radiation therapy only removes hair in the targeted area. For example, when you have radiation therapy to the breast, the hair on your head is not removed.

Other side effects and management

Let's now look at some other important side effects and what you need to know about them.

When should it be considered an emergency?

Some side effects can be serious. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately. If you cannot reach him, go to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU) immediately.

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