Side Effects Of Chemotherapy And Radiation For Breast Cancer

Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells.

Side effects of chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. For example some survivors struggle with negative emotional effects of cancer. Other side effects feelings of fear sadness and isolation can compound the physical side effects of chemotherapy both during and after treatment. Skin irritation dryness and color changes. Rare short or long term side effects.

Learn more about possible side effects. However patients undergoing treatment for cancer often suffer from compromised immune function low blood cell counts lack of appetite poor energy weight loss digestive disturbances pain anxiety and depression as well. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated.

If you have radiation to the breast it can affect your heart or lungs as well causing other side effects. Hair loss and nausea are probably the most commonly feared side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. It may develop as a late effect of previous cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This may be a new primary cancer.

However you may lose some hair under your arm or on the breast or chest area getting radiation this may be a concern for some men with breast cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation are two of the most effective treatments for cancer. Doctors may recommend this therapy in combination with others such as surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation can be an effective treatment for breast cancer but it does have side effects.

Rarely chemotherapy for breast cancer can trigger a secondary cancer such as cancer of the blood cells leukemia several years after the chemotherapy was completed. You won t lose the hair on your head. Breast swelling from fluid build up lymphedema. If you have a higher dose of radiation your chances of getting side effects are more likely but if you get too low of a dose of radiation it won t be as effective against the cancer and could leave cancer cells alive.

Rare short term side effects nausea and hair loss. The side effects will vary depending on the type of chemo drugs or radiation treatment you get. Here are some long term side effects to be aware of. Adobe stock belish breast fibrosis.