Starting cancer treatment can feel overwhelming. You may wonder how your body will react and what you can do to feel more comfortable. Each person’s experience with cancer treatment is different. Still, it can help to understand what side effects might happen and how your care team can support you.
“Your experience with cancer and treatment will have its own twists and turns,” said Donato G. Dumlao, MD, a palliative care specialist with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center at Banner Gateway Medical Center. “Your care team will work with you to help manage the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual effects of treatment.”
Why do cancer treatments cause side effects?
Side effects are changes in your body or changes in how you feel that happen because of treatment. They happen because many treatments can affect healthy cells even though they’re targeting cancer cells. Not everyone will have the same side effects, and some people may not have many at all.
“Side effects related to cancer treatment are common and they vary from person to person,” Dr. Dumlao said. “You won’t know how they will affect you until you begin treatment.”
The side effects you experience may also vary depending on your type of cancer and the treatment used. Most side effects are temporary and you can manage them with the help of your care team.
Before you start any treatment, you and your team of specialists will talk about the benefits of treatment and possible side effects.
Common side effects of cancer treatments
Side effects vary based on the type of treatment you receive and how your body responds. Here’s what to expect with some of the most common cancer treatments.
Chemotherapy side effects
Chemotherapy uses strong medications to destroy cancer cells. You may get chemotherapy drugs through an IV, by pill or in other forms. The type of chemo medication you get and how long you need to be treated will depend on the type of cancer you have, whether it has spread to other parts of the body and other factors.
Common side effects of chemotherapy include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Hair loss
- Low white blood cell count, which can put you at higher risk of infection
- Pain
- Low red blood cell count, which may cause fatigue or anemia
- Mouth sores
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in your hands and feet
- Changes in memory or concentration, often called “chemo brain”
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Depression
- Sun sensitivity
“Many side effects are short term but some people will get long-term or chronic side effects,” Dr. Dumlao said.
Radiation therapy side effects
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and shrink tumors. It has become much more focused in recent years. More than half of people with cancer will receive some form of radiation treatment.
Side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area of the body being treated and your dosage. “Early side effects happen during or shortly after treatment. These tend to be short-term, mild and treatable. They’re usually gone within a few weeks after treatment ends,” Dr. Dumlao said.
Common early side effects include:
- Tiredness
- Hair loss
- Skin redness, dryness or peeling in the treated area
- Pain or discomfort in the treatment area
- Nausea if the abdomen is treated
- Low blood counts
- Hair loss in the treatment area
- Inflammation
- Organ damage, depending on the location
“Late side effects can start months or even years after treatment ends. They can happen in any area that was treated with radiation. The risk of late side effects depends on the radiation dose and the area that was treated,” Dr. Dumlao said.
Your care team can explain more about the risk of late side effects based on your situation.
Immunotherapy side effects
Your immune system defends your body from infection and disease. Immunotherapy helps your immune system recognize cancer cells and fight them. There are several types of immunotherapies and each helps the immune system in a different way.
Side effects depend on the type of immunotherapy and how your body responds.
Common side effects include:
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills or fatigue
- Digestive changes like diarrhea or nausea
- Skin rash, itching or sensitivity
- Joint or muscle aches
- Inflammation in organs or tissues
- Soreness
- Headache
How can you manage side effects?
There are many ways to ease side effects and feel more like yourself:
- Get plenty of rest and take breaks when needed
- Eat small, balanced meals throughout the day
- Stay hydrated
- Keep moving with light activity, if your provider approves
- Talk to your care team about your side effects and any changes in your mood, appetite or sleep
- Ask about supportive care options like nutrition, counseling, physical therapy or integrative therapies like acupuncture
Support and care through Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, you’ll have a full care team dedicated to supporting you, not just treating your cancer. Your team includes oncology specialists, nurses, nutrition experts, social workers and others who understand what you’re going through.
Your treatment plan will be personalized and it can be adjusted to help you stay as comfortable and active as possible throughout your care. If you’re preparing for cancer treatment or want to learn more, visit bannerhealth.com to explore treatment options and support services.
