Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Each of the chemotherapy drugs available today works in a slightly different fashion, and it’s hard to predict what sorts of side effects any one person will experience. But there are a few rules of thumb when it comes to chemotherapy that should always be kept in mind.

1) Ignore what others have said about their reactions to the different drugs—dosage, the combination of drugs, and the response to the drugs might be completely different. No two people are the same and no two cancers are the same, which means that no two people will react to the drugs in the same way.

2) Pay close attention to both expected and unexpected reactions to the different drugs. The doctors, nurses, and pharmacists will describe what to look out for in general, but it’s always possible to experience something that they didn’t anticipate. An unexplained side effect might be nothing, but it’s far better to be extra cautious than to ignore something that might be causing harm.

3) Don’t be "macho." There are plenty of drugs available to help ward off or treat the different side effects, including nausea/vomiting, sleep problems, and general exhaustion. All treatments work best when the body is at its strongest.

4) Relax. Chemotherapy drugs are powerful and can take a toll on the body. Focus on getting well by finding a way to relax—listening to music, doing yoga or stretching exercises, taking a walk in the woods or on the beach, or watching a movie marathon on television. Effectively relieving stress will help contribute to the ultimate goal of all cancer treatments—getting well.