Once you have completed your cancer treatment, there might be some late side effects. Side effects may affect the part of the body that was treated, as well as other parts that may not have been directly treated. Although these side effects may be alarming, there are ways to successfully combat them.
Chemotherapy, hormone treatment and other treatments may cause your bones to become thinner. The only way to monitor this is to keep up with your regularly-scheduled doctor’s appointments, where you may have tests to determine if you have had any bone loss. Eating well, exercising, not smoking and limiting alcohol will help reduce the risk of bone loss.
Chemotherapy drugs and radiation can affect your brain, leading to problems with memory, poor concentration, processing delays and inhibited mobility. Any of these issues can be addressed with the help of your doctor, who may encourage you to work with a physical therapist, an occupational therapist or another appropriate specialist.
Your endocrine system can also be affected through your cancer treatment. The endocrine system is comprised of organs and glands that control bodily functions such as growth, sexual development, reproduction, sleep and metabolism. Again, working with your doctor to pinpoint the problem and then developing a plan of action is the best way to address any endocrine system changes.
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After cancer treatment, there is the risk of developing cataracts or dry eye syndrome, which can be treated by an ophthalmologist through drugs or possible surgery.
Hearing loss is another consideration, which can be addressed by an audiologist.
Chemotherapy and cancer drugs may cause changes to the heart. Talk with your doctor about this, as you began to plan your treatment. Also, eating well, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking can promote a healthy heart.
You may experience joint changes, which is the result of scar tissue, weakness and bone loss. Your range of motion for a particular part of your body may also change. This is even more specific to a body part that received radiation. Your doctor may suggest physical therapy or another solution to alleviate your pain or increase your range of motion.
Another side effect of cancer treatment is having lung problems, such as issues breathing or coughing. This is even more likely if you have had radiation to your chest area. Your doctor may prescribe steroids, oxygen therapy, or a regimen of exercise to lose weight.
If you had radiation to your lymph nodes or if your lymph nodes were damaged during surgery to remove your lymph nodes, you may be more likely to develop lymphedema. Lymphedema occurs when lymph fluid does not drain properly and accumulates, causing swelling. This can develop during your treatment, after treatment, and even years after treatment. Swelling may start slowly in your arm or leg, or can affect your head or neck. Your doctor can address this issue and suggest therapies such as lymphatic massage, wearing compression garments, or exercise to manage and treat lymphedema.
Treatment can also affect your mouth, through dry mouth, cavities, and gum and teeth issues. Frequent checkups with your dentist post-treatment will ensure that your mouth and teeth are consistently monitored.
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Fatigue can be difficult to recognize. It is a general feeling of exhaustion, even if you haven’t done too much that day. Fatigue can also make you disinterested in participating in other activities. Instead of being temporarily tired, these symptoms may continue for weeks. Symptoms include little energy; disinterest in normal activities; difficulty concentrating or speaking; and sleeping a lot.
Many cancer treatments can cause fatigue. Surgery and anesthesia can inhibit your body’s natural rhythms, not to mention medication, discomfort, etc. Radiation can sap your energy and when concentrated on a bone, it can reduce your blood cell count, which can make you fatigued. Hormonal therapies mimic menopause, which can cause hot flashes, which may disrupt your sleep. Targeted therapy medicines, such as chemotherapy, can reduce the number of immune cells that are produced, which can increase your likelihood of having an infection and can contribute to fatigue. Also, pain medications may reduce the quality of your sleep, which will make you tired; steroids can lead to weight gain and muscle loss, which can also contribute to fatigue.
There are many ways to manage fatigue. First, there are complementary and holistic medicine techniques, from acupuncture to yoga, which can be used to manage fatigue. Exercise, such as walking, is also a great way to combat fatigue. Eating a healthy diet and eating enough nutritious food will help as well. Depending on the cause of your fatigue, certain medicines may help alleviate your symptoms. Other ways include integrating naps into your day, sticking to a sleeping/waking schedule, and tracking how you feel daily in a journal.
Fatigue is a side effect of cancer, but depression can be a side effect as well. Fatigue can also lead to depression. Also, the possibility of entering menopause up to ten years earlier than normal can lower your hormone levels and lead to postpartum depression. Either way, if you are not sure if you are depressed, fatigued, or a combination of both, you should see your doctor to identify the problem and find a viable solution. This solution may include a referral to a psychiatrist, medication, talk therapy, or a combination of all three.
Battling the side effects of cancer treatment can be challenging, but regularly checking in with your doctor and creating an action plan can help you on your road to recovery.
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