How to prevent side effects of cancer treatment?

9.81% of males and 9.42% of females are at risk of developing cancer before 75 years in India.

With the advancement in cancer treatments, survivorship has seen immense improvement over the years in different types of cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate in breast cancer has gone up from 70% to 91%. For colorectal cancer, the survival rate has increased to 65%; for rectal cancer, the rate has gone up to 67%; for CLL, it now stands at 84%. Just like that, the survivorship for every cancer has increased due to the abundance of treatment options today.

However, according to recent research, 1 in 3 adults treated for cancer may experience certain side effects from the cancer treatment.

In this blog, we will talk about the side effects of cancer treatment and how to prevent or cope with them.

How to minimize cancer treatment side effects?

Low blood count

Most cancer treatments affect the bone marrow, making it difficult for the body to produce white blood cells, i.e., cells that fight off infections. Hence, the number and incidence of infections may increase in cancer patients due to low blood count. Some medicines called colony-stimulating factors can help increase the number of WBCs when required.

Some other ways to combat such infections are:

Washing hands often, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after touching animals.
Staying away from sick people with contagious infections like cold, flu, chickenpox, etc.
Avoiding crowds.
Staying away from children recently dosed with “Live virus” vaccines like chickenpox & polio.
Check out for signs of irritation if one has a catheter.
Avoiding cutting or tearing the cuticles of nails.
Being careful around scissors, needles, & knives to avoid cutting or nicking the skin.
Using an electric razor for shaving instead of a razor to prevent nicks and cuts on the skin.
Taking calming warm baths or showers or sponge baths. Pat dry skin with a light touch & don’t rub hard.
Using lotions or creams on dry or cracked skin.
Avoiding contact with litter boxes, fish tanks, birdcages, and more.
Avoiding standing water-birdbaths, humidifiers, & flower vases.
Avoiding raw food.
Wearing gloves while gardening or cleaning.

Anemia caused by low RBC

Some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy drugs, may affect RBCs or red blood cells, causing anemia. This, in turn, can cause tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, fast heart rhythm, or even fainting. If one is experiencing these, they should limit their active time and rest as much as possible. They should also eat well-balanced meals and consult their cancer specialist for a long-term diet plan.

Fatigue

Lacking energy or feeling tired is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment.

Ways to cope with it:

Plan your day so you have optimum time to rest.
Take multiple short naps or breaks as necessary instead of or along with one long rest period.
Try shorter or easier versions of activities you like.
Take short walks or engage in light exercise if & when possible.
Save your energy for things you enjoy and let others help you in other activities.
Record how you feel every day through a journal or diary and consult your cancer specialist about the changes in the level of fatigue over time.

Mouth issues

From sores to mouth dryness to cavities to irritation, cancer treatments can cause a lot of mouth issues. Other than consulting with your doctor, this is how you cope with it.

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water every 2-3 hours.
Avoid hot and spicy food.
Eat cool, non-spicy, non-acidic food.
Rinse mouth with water before & after meals.
Chew foods thoroughly and sip liquids in-between to keep the food moist & to help swallow the food.
Drink 6-8 glasses of fluids/day.
Gargle with club soda or water with added lime/lemon to thin saliva.
Dunk your hard foods like bread or chapati in soups, sauces, or curries.
Suck on ice chips, chew gums, or candies to keep the mouth moist.
Try to drink liquid nutritional drinks if your doctor approves.
Try to use alcohol-free mouthwashes & lozenges.
Try to use a soft toothbrush & fluoride toothpaste after every meal.
Use dental floss if you can and if your doctor permits.
Avoid carbonated beverages.

Nausea and vomiting

Depending on the cancer medication and varying in length & severity, cancer treatments can often cause nausea & vomiting. Anti-nausea medication can help if taken properly per the doctor’s instructions.

Other ways to prevent it are:

Eating a lighter meal before chemotherapy.
Taking a nap or resting after treatment.
If strong smells are too much for you and cause nausea or vomiting tendencies, avoid such food.
Keep food out for some time so the strong smells can escape.
Continue sipping on fluids like 7-up, ginger ale, fruit juice, tea, broth, tonic water, or bouillon.
Eat dry foods like toast or crackers if it helps in relieving nausea.
Relaxation techniques & hypnosis may help certain people.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is pretty common with cancer treatments, and it can even be there post-treatment. Abdominal bloating, watery stools and frequent bowel movement urgency can also be there.

Ways to prevent it:

Drink 8 glasses of water/fluid.
Drink liquids between meals instead of with meals.
Take anti-diarrheal medicine if needed & instructed by your doctor.
Eat cooked, peeled, or canned vegetables & fruits. Try to avoid fruits or vegetables with skins as well as seeds.
Try to avoid gas-inducing vegetables like corn, peas, broccoli, and cabbage.
Eat small, frequent meals.
Avoid spicy food, high-fat food, and high-sugar food.
Take a sitz bath or Epsom salt enhanced bath if your rectal area becomes irritated, itchy, or sore due to frequent bowel movements.

Constipation

Constipation can also occur due to cancer treatment. If you experience constipation due to chemotherapy, pain medication, anti-nausea medications, or a change in diet or activity level, you can increase fiber intake, fluid intake, and increased activity.

If you experience constipation for two or more days past your normal routine, immediately call your doctor or nurse. You might need to use laxatives or stool softeners per the doctor’s instruction.

Hair Loss

Not all cancer treatments cause hair loss, but some chemotherapy drugs do. The loss is mostly temporary. So, you can wear scarves, wigs, or toupees if you lose hair. Also, protect your scalp from heat or cold by using sunscreen and covers. The hair mostly comes back slowly 2-3 months after the last treatment, but it differs with each individual. However, the color & texture of your hair may change either permanently or temporarily.

Loss of appetite

Both chemotherapy and radiation may cause one to lose appetite. However, to maintain good health during such stressful times for the body and mind, it is important to eat nutritious food.

If you can’t eat at all due to loss of appetite and other issues, intravenous nutrition may be an option.
Post-treatment, this problem may persist, but it will improve over time.
You can eat small, frequent meals 6-8 times a day.
Drink beverages after meals instead of during meals, so you don’t feel full easily.
Eat more proteins & fats and less simple sugars.
Try to eat food that adds nutritional value.

Skin Changes

Redness, pain, soreness, itching, scaling skin, redness, peeling, acne, darkening of the skin, nails, or darkening of the skin directly over the vein can be caused due to some cancer treatments. Most of these changes will gradually fade. But keep your skin dry, clean, and moisturize with the doctor’s instruction. Use sunscreen 15 or higher and use eye drops if your eyes are irritated. Do not use perfumes, cosmetics, deodorants, etc. Do not wear tight-fitting clothes.

Nerve pain or change

Some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, may affect the nervous system. Such changes may be either temporary or permanent. Certain other changes may cause pain too. Talk to your doctor for palliative care or pain management strategy.

Infertility

For men

Some cancer treatments may lower sperm count and reduce sperm mobility. This may cause temporary or permanent infertility in men.

Talk to your doctor about sperm banking if there is a chance of infertility.
Use birth control with a partner during treatment.
Use protection during sexual intercourse as chemotherapy drug may end up in sperm.

For women

Anti-cancer drugs may affect ovaries & decrease the amounts of hormones they make. Women can have irregular periods or no periods during cancer treatment; this may be temporary or permanent.

It is not advisable to get pregnant during cancer treatment as cancer treatments can cause birth defects in babies. Birth control should be used during treatment, except for breast cancer. Women can choose to freeze their eggs if there is a chance of permanent infertility.

Sexual issues

Certain cancer treatments like chemotherapy can cause several sexual issues in both men and women. From tiredness, stress to erectile dysfunction to difficulty in orgasm in men and from vaginal dryness to itching, tiredness, stress, disinterest in women, the symptoms may be many. Consult your doctor, use non-irritant clothing, use lubricants for betterment.

In the end

Lastly, it is critical to understand that since every individual is different, everyone’s reaction to cancer treatment is also unique. Some side effects mentioned here might not affect an individual; some may experience a few side effects but not all; some may even experience side effects not listed here. It is impossible to predict which side effect will affect an individual or how severe it will be. However, this list can guide the general population diagnosed with cancer to navigate the common side effects of cancer treatment easily to lead a better life. For more information or help, you can always consult a cancer specialist like Dr. Manish Singhal, the best oncologist in Delhi.

Note

Dr. Manish Singhal is the best oncologist in Delhi. With an acute understanding of the various cancer treatments available for cancer patients and their effects (both positive & negative) on individuals, he & his team have successfully navigated efficient and customized cancer treatment side effect prevention strategies to help cancer patients lead a better life.