Can I drink alcohol during treatment?
It depends greatly on the exact treatment you’re receiving. Many patients are still able to drink alcohol in moderation during cancer treatment. But some radiation and chemotherapy treatments can make alcohol taste bad. Alcohol may make nausea worse. And if you’re being treated for head and neck cancer or esophageal cancer, drinking alcohol may even […]
My family member doesn’t want to eat, what can I make for them?
It is important to encourage a loved one, instead of pressuring. There may be a variety of reasons someone isn’t interested in eating, including treatment side effects. Sometimes when asked ‘what would you like?’, the question is too large and not specific enough. Try listing a couple of options for them to choose from or […]
Will I lose my hair?
Some forms of intensive chemotherapy can cause hair loss. We’ll tell you if this is something you should expect. Most forms of radiation therapy don’t cause hair loss. Whole or partial brain radiation is an exception, and may result in hair loss.
Will I have nausea during treatment?
Nausea and vomiting during cancer treatment are, for the most part, a thing of the past. Most cancer treatments don’t cause nausea anymore. But for the ones that do, we can almost always prevent nausea or vomiting with nausea-preventing medications. If you experience nausea at all during treatment, it will most likely be mild (like a minor hangover or morning sickness) and it will usually only last for a day or two after treatment.
Will I have fatigue during treatment?
Cancer treatment often causes some degree of fatigue. Cancer can cause fatigue as well. The pattern and intensity depend on the type and schedule of your treatment. CANCER FATIGUE: Sometimes the cancer itself can cause fatigue, depending on the type and extent of disease. If you have curable, early-stage cancer you may only notice fatigue […]
Hair Loss & Chemotherapy
Mitch and Kyla delve into hair loss during cancer treatment in today’s episode. We explore why certain therapies cause hair loss and discuss the emotional impact it can have on patients. We also touch on the treatments more likely to cause hair loss, such as anthracyclines and taxane drugs.
Cancer Pain
Whenever I meet a new cancer patient, especially one with incurable cancer, pain always comes up in the conversation – whether they have it or not. It’s the most commonly reported symptom of cancer, and it’s also one of the most widely feared. Most patients with advanced stage cancer do, in fact, experience pain; 75-90% […]
Breast Radiation Causes Heart Disease – For Very, Very Few
Breast radiation remains necessary for women with early stage breast cancer if they wish to avoid mastectomy. Like all cancer treatments, there are potential side-effects–most of which are minor. A small minority of patients receiving such treatment may be at higher risk for heart disease. Overall, the risk of heart disease for most patients is […]
Cancer Related Fatigue
Fatigue is a very common complaint among cancer patients. Everyone experiences fatigue from time to time. This is how our bodies indicate the need for rest and sleep and is an expected feeling after certain activities or at day’s end. Usually a good night’s sleep will solve the problem. However, individuals with cancer can experience […]
What Can I Do For Chemobrain?
Chemotherapy can cause many patients to have difficulty concentrating, remembering certain things, or finishing brain-intensive tasks. This is commonly called chemobrain. It can sometimes last for weeks, months, or years after treatment for cancer is completed. It’s often a very upsetting experience, even if it’s so slight that no one but the patient notices it. […]
