The cancer treatment journey needs optimism and courage because it evokes a lot of insecurities in the patient. Sometimes the pain doesn't end there and lingers on in the form of side effects. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, women have a nearly 50% higher risk of developing severe side effects after cancer treatment. Moreover, every treatment process may have its own set of consequences. Let's discuss different ways to manage post-cancer treatment side effects.
Types of treatment options, their potential side effects, and tips to manage them
Chemotherapy and its side effects
- Defeat tiredness with a balanced diet and an active lifestyle. - Experiencing fatigue is a pretty common side effect that one can face after a chemo session. The simplest way to deal with this is by consuming a balanced diet, resting adequately, and exercising daily.
- Follow the prescription to avoid nausea and vomiting. - Nausea and vomiting can make the treatment process more difficult, as these side effects also affect the patient's appetite. Now doctors have a plethora of medications to control or eliminate this problem. So you should consult your doctor to get a prescription for the same.
- Minimise hair fall with a cooling cap. - Chemotherapies adversely affect the hair follicles and trigger psychological insecurities in a person. According to the Mayo Clinic, wearing a cooling cap during sessions can reduce the drug that reaches your hair follicles. Furthermore, you must pay attention to the importance of a proper haircare regimen.
- Maintain hygiene to avoid germs & infections. - Chemotherapies can suppress your immunity and make you prone to various infections and health issues like flu, cough, fever, etc. By washing your hands frequently and maintaining hygiene, you can avoid such health issues to some extent.
- Work on your schedule to manage mental fog. - Some people experience short-term mental fog (also known as chemo-brain) after cancer treatment. Writing down their schedule and trying some mental exercises can help alleviate this side effect.
Hormone therapy and its side effects
- Consider taking some medications to deal with hot flashes. - Sometimes, one may experience sudden warmth on various parts of the body, including the face, neck, chest, and back, and this symptom is called a hot flush/flash. Several medications are available to deal with it, but you should always consider medical advice before consuming any. Moreover, making dietary changes like avoiding spicy food, alcohol, and caffeine can help reduce the occurrence. You can also try acupuncture for the same purpose.
- Take help from a gynaecologist to manage vaginal issues. - Many products are available to help you with vaginal issues like dryness and thinning. But in some cases, you need to seek help from the gynaecologist to identify the right approach for handling these vaginal issues.
- Eat right to avoid digestive problems. - Constipation and diarrhoea are the most common side effects of cancer treatment through hormone therapy. One can avoid them by focusing on their present diet. Include high-fibre food items in your diet and ensure that you stay hydrated.
- Exercise every day for weight management. - Gaining weight is another common problem that one can face, and performing exercises every day for 20 to 30 minutes can also help in avoiding it.
- Handle mood swings and depression with the power of meditation. - Mood swings, anxiety, and depression are some symptoms that are pretty common in female cancer patients. The ideal way to deal with such negative emotions is by practising yoga and meditation every day for a few minutes. It will help release all the negative thoughts and control mood swings.
- Try ointments to fade away joint pain. - Joint pains are common during or after cancer treatment. You can treat them with over-the-counter medications or ointments.
- Focus on bone health to reduce the chances of osteoporosis. - One is suggested to pay attention to their bone health to avoid orthopaedic issues, including osteoporosis, which is quite common in women undergoing hormonal therapy. A few suggestions for the same include:
- Consuming calcium & vitamin D supplements
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco
- Living a healthy lifestyle
Hyperthermia and its Side Effects
- Burns, blisters, discomfort, and pain - If the temperature rises above 111 degrees Fahrenheit, some tissues can experience burns and blisters. Some medications can help treat the same. But if the symptoms are severe, the patient may need medical supervision.
- Nausea and vomiting - Due to heat stress, you may need to restore hydration. It is advised to drink fluids with electrolytes, like water. It will also help reduce the therapy's side effects on the heart and nervous system.
- Swelling, blood clots or damage to the normal tissues - The patient can experience swelling due to the body's response to the extremely high temperature. Put your feet up, stay in a cool environment, and increase your fluid intake to alleviate the swelling. For blood clots and tissue damage, consider taking medical advice.
Immunotherapy and its Side effects
- Fatigue - Adopting an active and healthy lifestyle is the best way to deal with this problem. It will help you improve your stamina and make you feel energised.
- Fever and flu-like symptoms - To alleviate these symptoms, your doctor may recommend some medications. But the dosage of such medicines will depend on the severity or factors associated with health.
- Skin problems - Immunotherapy can make the skin red, itchy, and inflamed. In such a situation, your medical expert may suggest you use mild products for a bath and take a bath in lukewarm (not hot) water. Soon after the bath, you are advised to moisturise your skin as quickly as possible. Try to choose an unscented moisturiser that does not contain harmful chemicals. Moreover, remember to apply or reapply sunscreen (SPF 30+) when exposed to the sun.
- Auto-immune disorders - As immunotherapy targets immunity to fight cancer, one may sometimes experience auto-immune disorders. These are health conditions wherein our immunity attacks the body's healthy tissues. It can lead to problems like hepatitis, colitis, arthritis, pneumonitis, myocarditis, etc. Usually, the symptoms are mild, but it is better to inform your doctor about them.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and its side effects
- Burns, itching, redness, or swelling - Try wet dressing to get relief from such symptoms. Use a thin material for the bandage. Dip the fabric in cold water and apply it to the affected area. Let it dry out naturally, and don't try to cover it further with a blanket. If the severity increases, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Also, follow a good skincare routine with chemical-free, mild products to heal your skin as quickly as possible.
- Pain and other health problems - The patient may experience cough, stomachache, a fast heart rate, shortness of breath, and low red blood or platelet count. These symptoms will improve after the treatment is completed. But, during this period, you should always follow a healthy lifestyle and inform your doctor about these symptoms.
Radiation therapy and its side effects
- Fatigue and lack of sleep - Like other cancer treatment side effects, patients getting radiation therapy can suffer from tiredness. But managing this side effect of cancer treatment becomes easy with exercise. Moreover, avoiding naps, writing journals, and meditating can help treat insomnia.
- Skin irritation - Like PDT, the patients need to focus on skincare, including sunscreen.
- Stem cell therapy and its side effects - The side effects of stem cell therapy are the same as those of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, the management of these side effects will be the same. Other side effects include mouth sores, anaemia, low platelet count, diarrhoea, infertility, early menopause, cataract, etc. These side effects will need special care; hence, the management strategy may differ according to the patient's condition.
Surgery and its Side effects
- Pain - The patient can experience pain, a burning sensation, or throbbing in the location where surgery has been performed. Your doctor may prescribe you some medicines to handle this pain. Moreover, practising meditation and yoga can be helpful to get enough mental strength and rehab as soon as possible.
- Swelling - Simple ways to reduce swelling include lifting the area and applying ice to the site. Moreover, reducing sodium in the diet can be helpful in the same way.
- Drainage - Sometimes, the patient can experience fluid drainage from the incision. It is quite normal. But if the fluid is thick or has an odour, this is an infection symptom. It would be best if you got medical advice to treat the same.
- Infection or blood clot - This approach to cancer treatment has a risk of developing an infection or blood clots. These side effects can also lead to various health complications and hence require the special attention of an expert.
Targeted therapy and its side effects
- Allergic reactions - The management of this side effect depends on its severity, and an oncologist can help deal with it.
- Anaemia, high blood pressure, bleeding, or low white or red blood count - Sometimes, targeted therapies damage the tissues present in the bone marrow. As a consequence, the patient can experience the above-stated side effects. Therefore, your doctor may recommend you undergo a blood test, and the result will affect the roadmap of your treatment.
- Fatigue or joint pain - Only exercises can help get relief from these symptoms. Moreover, balanced nutrition is also required. So contact an expert to discuss the same.
- Skin rashes - These are quite mild symptoms and will heal with time. But you need to follow a good skincare routine for the same. But in case of severity, remember to consult an expert.
- Pain, tingling sensation, or nerve damage - Sometimes, the medication used in targeted therapy can trigger your nervous system and lead to these symptoms. Doing physical therapy, acupuncture, or a few exercises can be helpful.
- Mouth or tongue sores - Some medications and mouthwash with salt or baking soda can help remove sores. But remember to consult your oncologist for the same.
Conclusion
One may experience side effects of the cancer treatment during or after the completion of treatment. Many of these side effects are common, regardless of the treatment option. Hence, you can consider the suggested tip. But remember that the above-stated tips are just suggestions, and you must discuss your symptoms with a medical expert to determine the right course of action.
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