Side Effects From Breast Cancer Chemotherapy & Radiation

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Side Effects From Breast Cancer Chemotherapy & Radiation

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can destroy constantly dividing breast cancer cells. But these treatments can also affect healthy cells. Medications and other self-help methods can ease many of these side effects:

Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and fatigue
Mouth soreness
Hair loss
Weight gain
Premature menopause
Lowered resistance to infections
Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment. Try these tips to ensure you are eating a healthy diet during treatment:

Eat several small meals during the day, instead of three large meals.
Try an "instant breakfast" mix or other nutritional shakes.
Eat the largest meal when you are most hungry, which varies from person to person.
Drink beverages either a half hour before or after meals so they do not interfere with your appetite.
Consider moderate exercise to increase your appetite.
Nausea and Vomiting
Some - but not all - cancer patients experience nausea. You can take medicines called antiemetics before chemotherapy to reduce nausea. Keep track of when you have nausea. Nausea can occur right after treatment or several days later.

Eat small meals frequently and avoid fatty, greasy foods and citrus.
Try foods at room temperature instead of very hot or cold.
When nauseous, try bland foods like crackers, gelatin, ice chips, rice, plain mashed potatoes, or applesauce.
Contact your doctor if you have severe nausea or frequent vomiting. If you vomit, wait an hour before eating or drinking anything. Then, begin with ice chips and gradually add foods. Chamomile or ginger root tea, or ginger ale can sometimes help settle your stomach.

Weakness and Fatigue
Weakness and fatigue can have many causes, including the treatment itself, worry or depression, not eating, pain, inactivity, and low blood counts.

Make sure you get enough rest. Sleep at least eight hours a night, and try to lie down during the day to rest. Avoid caffeine if it interferes with sleep.
Exercise. Short walks can actually increase appetite and energy. Exercise can help you rest better, even if you are feeling fatigued.
Be choosy about activities. Get help from family and friends with errands and other chores.
If you feel pain, let your oncologist know. There is no need to suffer in silence.
Eat a diet high in iron.
If fatigue is caused by low red blood cell counts (anemia), you may be given a growth factor called erythropoietin (Procrit), which stimulates bone marrow to make red blood cells. It can be given by injection, which can be continued at home. Patients receiving this are carefully monitored for rashes and blood pressure.
Mouth Soreness
Sometimes, a sore mouth or throat can be related to breast cancer treatment. Check with your doctor or dentist to rule out other causes of mouth pain.

Ask your doctor about medicines to reduce mouth soreness.
Choose soft foods that will not irritate your mouth, such as scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, pureed cooked vegetables and bananas.
Cut foods into small pieces.
Avoid citrus, spicy, or salty foods and rough foods.

Hair Loss
Whether women lose their hair depends on the type of chemotherapy they take for breast cancer and the dose. Your oncologist will likely tell you if you can expect hair loss.

While some women notice only thinning of their hair, others lose their hair completely. Some lose hair suddenly, while others notice a more gradual loss a few weeks after starting treatment. Sometimes, eyelashes and eyebrows also fall out.

Losing hair can be very difficult emotionally. Some women prepare by getting a short hair cut before chemotherapy begins. A variety of hair wraps and wigs are available to wear during chemotherapy.

Some women notice that their hair texture changes when it grows back in, but many experience no change in their hair. The good news about hair loss is that it begins growing back once treatment is stopped. It can take several months to completely regrow hair.

Weight Gain
Some women with breast cancer gain weight because of several factors:

Lack of activity
Emphasis on eating
Medicines
Depression
If you notice you are gaining weight, let your doctor know. Do not go on a diet on your own since your body needs a lot of nutrients during breast cancer treatment.

Lowered Resistance to Infections
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for breast cancer can disrupt the production of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting infection. Try to stay out of large crowds, and away from sick adults and children, for seven to 10 days after receiving chemotherapy. That's when your white counts are usually lowest.

Contact your doctor right away if you become sick. Sometimes doctors recommend taking antibiotics as a precaution. Others suggest women receive a flu shot before beginning chemotherapy.

If your white blood cell counts are too low, you may be given a growth factor called G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor -- Neupogen or Granocyte) or GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor -- Leucomax).

Recognizing a Breast Cancer Emergency
If you have breast cancer, call your nurse or doctor if you have:

A temperature greater than 100º F. If you have any fever and chills, notify your doctor immediately. If you are unable to contact your doctor, go to the emergency room.
If you notice in your mouth new sores, patches, swollen tongue, or bleeding gums.
If you experience a dry, burning, scratchy, or "swollen" throat.
A cough that is new or persistent and produces mucus.
Changes in bladder function, including increased frequency or urgency to go; burning during urination; or blood in your urine
Changes in gastrointestinal function, including heart burn; nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea that lasts longer than two or three days; or blood in stools.
Reviewed by Sonja Eva Singletary, MD, Professor of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.