the following side effects from chemo and radiation.
Chemo:
- Fatigue
- Infections
- Hair loss
- Nausea/vomiting
- Pain/discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Sores
Radiation:
- Nausea/Vomiting/Cramps
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Skin issues
In rare cases, patients may experience more severe problems, such as immune dysfunction, secondary infections, and even other cancers. Of course, health issues are always a possibility with any procedure, so don’t let potential rare side effects scare you.
Have a Plan – You Can Do This!
The important thing to do, no matter what treatment plan you take, is to rest. Herbal teas are good for staying hydrated, and if possible, have friends and family help you with preparing meals. Your doctors can also prescribe you nausea medication to help with those yucky feelings!
It should be noted that while systemic reactions such as hair loss and nausea are less common with radiation, they still can occur. This happens because radiation is more localized to specific areas of cancer. In some cases, the systemic nature of chemo is preferred when the cancer has spread more widely. In other cases, radiation is the most practical treatment.
Again, it all depends on your needs, cancer type, cancer progression, and your preferences. You may also even use other drugs, like immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Part of treating advanced breast cancer is taking a multifaceted approach that shrinks tumors and destroys those harmful cells.
With a healthy outlook, appropriate planning, and a good medical team at your side, you can enjoy a more normal, quality life with metastatic breast cancer.