Cancer treatment can be difficult, with impacts on both your body and mind. You may have physical side effects like fatigue, but the mental health effects can be hard to deal with as well. Knowing what to expect after cancer treatment can help you prepare for those effects and find ways to minimize them.
It’s also important to make sure you take care of yourself during and after your treatment. This will help your general mental and physical wellbeing.
You should always talk to your doctor for the most personalized insight and advice. But read on to learn more about common effects of cancer treatment, as well as when to reach out to your care team.
After chemotherapy, you might have some of the following side effects. However, these are generally temporary and go away after stopping chemotherapy:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Hair loss
- Higher risk of infections
- Anxiety
- Depression
Call your doctor if you have:
- A fever that won’t go away or a fever over 100.4 F (38.3 C)
- Severe fatigue
- Unusual bleeding
- Symptoms of an infection, such as a sore throat or cough
- Significant weight changes
- Unexplained pain
- Emotional distress
Most effects of radiation happen in the area where you were treated. They generally affect the skin and include:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Discomfort
- Fatigue
- Symptoms specific to the treated area, like a sore throat
Call your doctor if you have:
- Severe skin reactions
- Pain that doesn’t go away
- Unusual swelling
- Symptoms that affect your daily life
Most of the aftereffects of surgery happen around the surgical site and may include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty moving
Call your doctor if you have any of the following signs of an infection:
- Increased redness or warmth
- Discharge from the surgical site
- Severe pain
- Fever
- Trouble breathing
Caring for Yourself after Cancer Treatment
No matter what type of cancer you have or what kind of treatment you get, taking care of yourself physically and mentally after treatment is crucial. While the below doesn’t cover every issue you may encounter, these are some especially important areas to pay attention to after treatment.
As you navigate any changes in your life and continue to heal after treatment, know that your BMC care team is here to help. They can help with any of the below, answer any other questions you may have, and help you find the right path for you moving forward.
Mental Health
Depression and anxiety after cancer treatment are very common. You may also find yourself struggling to adapt to a “new normal” after treatment, which can affect everything from your health to your finances and relationships.
But it’s important to know that you’re not alone in this. Support groups, counseling, and connecting with other survivors through common activities can all help you find ways to cope and adjust to your new normal. Ask your care team for more information about BMC’s support groups and other services for cancer survivors.
Nutrition
Good nutrition can help you feel better and keep up your strength. This is especially important if you’re losing water, minerals, and electrolytes from nausea or vomiting. BMC’s Cancer Center has nutrition services that can help you get on track, but some helpful nutritional goals include:
- Drink eight to 10 cups of water every day
- Eat fruits, vegetables, whole gains, and lean protein
- Eat consistently throughout the day, if you can
Preventing Recurrences
It’s normal to be scared that your cancer might come back. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
- Eat a healthy diet. This doesn’t just keep you healthy now – it can also help prevent your cancer from coming back in the future. Follow the above advice, especially eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limiting red meat and processed foods.
- Get regular checkups, even if you feel healthy. This will help your doctor find any potential cancer recurrences early, when they’re easiest to treat and cure. This is especially important because you might now be at a higher risk for having cancer again. Make sure you also tell your doctor about any new symptoms or health issues.
- If you still smoke, quit. Using tobacco in any form is associated with many cancers, not just lung cancers.
- Maintain a healthy body weight, since being overweight or obese can raise your risk of many types of cancer. Talk to your doctor to figure out what the best weight is for you.
More Information
Cancer Center
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