Side effects—facts and reassurances
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, but they also affect some normal cells.
And this can lead to side effects. Common side effects of
chemotherapy to treat breast cancer include nausea, hair loss, fatigue,
increased tendency to bruise and bleed, anemia (a low red blood cell count), and
infection.
Before starting chemo, most people ask their healthcare teams questions like “Will
I have side effects?” and “What will they be like?” Here are some reassuring facts
to keep in mind:
- Not everyone gets every side effect, or gets them in the same way. Two people may
have nausea, but feel it differently
- Different people experience different intensities of side effects. Ask your healthcare
team which side effects are likely with your chemo, how long they may last, and
what to do about them
- Your doctor may prescribe medicines to help prevent some side effects from occurring
For many people, the side effects of chemotherapy are a short-term problem, not
a long-term one. Remember—if you’re fighting breast cancer, you have to weigh the
potential side effects of chemotherapy against its ability to treat the disease.
Chemotherapy side effects can include:
- Anemia
- A low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
- Infection
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Mouth sores
- Numbness or tingling of the skin (paresthesia)
Other side effects may occur depending on the type of medication your doctor prescribes.
Be sure to speak with your doctor about which side effects you may experience and how they can be managed.
Living with breast cancer
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