Going through chemotherapy can be an incredibly difficult and draining experience, both physically and emotionally. The side effects of these powerful cancer-fighting drugs can take a significant toll on your body and overall well-being.

However, there are steps you can take to help alleviate some of the most common side effects and maintain a higher quality of life throughout your treatment journey.

Coping With Chemotherapy Side Effects

Feeling Tired and Lacking Energy

• Prioritise rest and listen to your body. Take naps or breaks when you feel tired, rather than pushing through fatigue.
• Ask for help with daily tasks and responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to let loved ones assist you with chores, errands, or other activities when you’re feeling drained.
• Stay hydrated and nourished. Drink plenty of fluids and eat foods rich in protein and calories to help maintain your energy levels.
• Try light exercise if possible. Low-impact activities like walking or gentle yoga can actually help boost your energy when done in moderation.
• Establish a regular sleep routine. Getting adequate, quality rest is crucial for managing fatigue. Avoid caffeine late in the day and create a calming pre-bed routine.

Nausea and Appetite

• Eat small, frequent meals or snacks instead of large meals. Having something in your stomach can help prevent nausea, but large portions may be too much.
• Avoid foods with strong smells that may trigger nausea. Stay away from cooking odours if possible. Cold foods tend to have fewer offensive smells.
• Stay hydrated by sipping water, broths, or drinks containing calories and nutrients if you can’t eat solid foods. Options like smoothies, milkshakes, or juice can help maintain intake.
• Try bland, easy-to-digest foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, or toast when nauseous. Avoid fried, greasy, or spicy items.
• Don’t force yourself to eat favourite foods that now seem unappealing. Your taste perceptions may change during chemo, so honour your body’s signals about what sounds good.

Fatigue

• Listen to your body and rest when needed. Don’t try to push through extreme fatigue, as this can exacerbate exhaustion.
• Prioritise activities and pace yourself. Break up tasks into smaller chunks and alternate periods of activity with rest breaks.
• Ask for help with daily chores and responsibilities. Allow loved ones to assist with cooking, cleaning, childcare etc. when you lack energy.
• Try light exercise if possible. Low-impact activities like walking or gentle yoga/stretching may actually help boost energy levels when done in moderation.
• Establish healthy sleep habits. Make sure you’re getting adequate nighttime rest and consider short naps/rest periods during the day.

Fever

• Take your temperature regularly and know the signs of fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher). Keep an accurate thermometer at home and know how to use it properly.
• Call your doctor/cancer care team immediately if you develop a fever, even during nights or weekends. A fever can be a sign of a potentially serious infection when your white blood cell counts are low.
• Be prepared to go to the emergency room right away if instructed by your care team or if you are unable to reach them. Fever in a chemotherapy patient requires urgent medical evaluation.
• Know when you are most vulnerable to infections causing fever – typically 7-14 days after a chemotherapy cycle when white blood cell counts drop to their lowest levels.
• Watch for other potential infection symptoms like chills, cough, burning with urination, etc. and report these to your oncologist along with any fever.

Hair Loss

• Prepare yourself mentally. Understanding that hair loss is a potential side effect can help you feel more in control when it happens. Consider cutting your hair short beforehand.
• Use a cooling cap/scalp hypothermia. These caps cool the scalp during treatment and may help minimise hair loss for certain chemotherapy drugs.
• Protect your scalp. Wear sunscreen, hats, scarves or wigs to cover your head and protect your scalp from sun exposure and irritation.
• Consider head coverings. Wigs, turbans, scarves or hats allow you to address hair loss in a way that makes you feel most comfortable.
• Be gentle. Use a soft brush and mild shampoo, and avoid heat styling, dyes or perms which can further damage fragile hair.

Mouth Sores

• Rinse mouth with cool/warm salt water after eating to help soothe pain
• Avoid acidic, salty, dry or crunchy foods that can further irritate sores
• Suck on ice chips or apply oral pain relief medications as recommended
• Practice good oral hygiene but use an extra soft toothbrush
• Notify your cancer team if mouth sores are severe or prevent eating/drinking

Infection

• Practice strict hand hygiene by washing with soap and water frequently
• Avoid crowds and close contact with anyone who is ill
• Take prescribed medications to help prevent infections
• Watch for signs like fever, chills, cough and report immediately
• Avoid potential sources of infection like undercooked foods

Digestive System

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
• Eat small, frequent meals high in protein and calories
• Avoid greasy, fried, spicy or high-fiber foods that can irritate
• Take anti-nausea, anti-diarrheal meds as prescribed
• Notify your team about severe constipation, diarrhea or bleeding

Skin Reactions

• Use mild, fragrance-free soaps and moisturizers
• Protect skin from sun exposure with loose clothing/hats
• Apply cool compresses or prescribed creams for rashes/irritation
• Avoid harsh soaps, roughexfoliants, adhesives on sensitive areas
• Report any severe rashes, peeling, pain or open areas to your team

Exercise

• Engage in light activities like walking as energy allows
• Avoid public gyms/exercise classes to reduce infection risks
• Build in frequent rest periods to combat fatigue
• Stay hydrated before, during and after exercise
• Discuss safe exercise plans with your oncologist