Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used to treat various cancers including breast cancer. Chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat breast cancer include cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-FU, doxorubicin, epirubicin, mitozantrone, mitomycin and taxotere. These chemotherapy drugs kill cancerous cells that are dividing fast. Chemotherapy drugs can damage normal cells along with cancer cells. This causes side effects which are unwanted effects of chemotherapy. Normal body cells including skin, hair, nails and the lining of your digestive system get affected by chemotherapy

Side effects associated with chemotherapy are not same in each patient as chemotherapy affects different people in different ways. Some patients have more side effects than others. Many patients lead normal lives during their treatment. However, keep in mind that all chemotherapy drugs do not cause the same side effects. Consult with your doctor about possible side effects and precautions to take. Following are some side effects associated with breast cancer chemotherapy.

Nausea and vomiting

Patient can experience nausea immediately after chemotherapy or several hours after treatment. Nausea can last for several hours to as long as several days. Doctor may ask you to take anti sickness drugs to control nausea. For some patients complementary therapies like relaxation therapy, hypnosis or aromatherapy are also helpful.

Hair loss

Hair loss is one of the common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy treatment. Hair loss happens gradually and starts within two to three weeks of treatment, though it may also be sudden. Your body hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes can also be lost. You can use wig or head covering before treatment. However, your hair will grow back once the treatment is over.

Mouth sore

Patient can experience sore mouth or gums or can develop mouth ulcers during treatment. You can take good mouth hygiene during treatment. Visit your dentist if you have tooth decay or gum disease.
Tiredness or fatigue:
Chemotherapy can also cause fatigue or tiredness. It may lasts for several months after their treatment has finished. Chemotherapy can also affect your ability to concentrate or think clearly.

Bone marrow suppression

Chemotherapy treatment can also lower blood cell counts by affecting the bone marrow. This may leads to infection. Before starting each treatment cycle, a blood sample taken to make sure that the levels of these cells is within safe limits. If it is not, then treatment is postponed until level of blood cell count are high enough.

Fertility

During chemotherapy, women may find that their periods become irregular, stop temporarily or stop permanently which may indicate permanent infertility. This often depends on your age. Talk to your doctor before treatment about your fertility.

Other side effects regarding breast cancer chemotherapy include loss of appetite, sore eyes, runny nose, diarrhea, urinary problems. However all these side effects are temporary and disappear once treatment is over. Usually a couple of weeks break between treatments is given which allows your normal body cells to recover.