What you need to know about chemo side effects
Why does chemo make you sick
Chemotherapy kills
As the severity of side effects varies from person to person and depends on the chemotherapy drugs you are receiving, be sure to talk to your cancer care team about which side effects are most common with your chemo, how long they might last, how bad they might be, and when you should call your cancer care team.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Infection
- Anaemia (low red blood cell counts)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Appetite changes
- Constipation/Diarrhoea
- Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain with swallowing
- Peripheral neuropathy or other nerve problems
- Skin and nail changes
- Urine/bladder changes and kidney problems
- Weight changes
- Chemo brain
- Mood changes
- Changes in libido and sexual function
- Fertility problems
How to minimise chemotherapy side effects
During your cancer treatment, there are some medicines that your doctor will prescribe that will help you prevent certain side effects before they occur. The concept of preventing and treating side effects is known as palliative or supportive care and is an
As well as the use of medicines, there are also simple techniques you can use to reduce side effects. These include deep breathing and drinking peppermint tea to reduce nausea or sucking on ice cubes for mouth sores. Check out our Tips & Tricks page to learn more.
What are the long-term side effects of chemotherapy
Long-term effects of chemotherapy on the body
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Hearing Problems
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Cognitive Difficulties
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Heart problems
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Lung Problems
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Osteoporosis - Weakening of the bones.
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Nerve damage
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Early Menopause
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Infertility
Need more help with preparing for cancer treatment? Check out this blog! 'How to prepare for your cancer journey'