Side effects of breast cancer chemotherapy are inevitable. However, side effects differ from patient to patient depending on the stage of the cancer and health and tolerance of that patient.

The drugs used in breast cancer chemotherapy treatment are methotrexate, mitomycin, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, 5-FU, mitozantrone, taxotere and doxorubicin. They destroy the cancerous cells as well as the normal cells at times because of which the cells of the parts, which are exposed to the drug, are affected like skin, nails, hair, digestive system, reproductive system, etc.

Some of the side effects of breast cancer chemotherapy are loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weakness and fatigue, mouth sores, hair loss, weight gain, lowered resistance to infections. The patient can overcome these by trying out some simple remedies and consulting the doctor.

Loss of Appetite

• Eat 5-6 small meals during the day, instead of three large meals.
• Eat the largest meal when most hungry
• Exercise moderately to increase your appetite.

Nausea and Vomiting

• Eat small meals 5-6 times in a day and avoid fatty food and citrus fruits.
• Eat foods at room temperatures
• In case of nausea, eat bland food like boiled potatoes, rice, gelatin, etc.
• In case of vomiting, do not eat anything for the next 1 hour.
• Drink chamomile or ginger root tea, or ginger ale as they settle your stomach.

Weakness and Fatigue

• Weakness and fatigue happens due to anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, low blood counts, inactivity, pain, etc more than the actual treatment.
• Sleep well for at least 8 hours at night.
• Avoid caffeine
• Exercise moderately or have short walks even if you feel fatigued.
• In case of anemia, eat a diet rich in iron.
• Consult your doctor and take supplements if required

Mouth Sores

• Consult your doctor for medications to reduce the mouth soreness
• Eat soft and room temperature foods
• Avoid a dry mouth by sipping fluids, plenty of water and chewing a candy if required.

Hair Loss

• Cut your hair short before the treatment begins
• Be emotionally prepared as hair loss can be very painful especially for women.
• Some women might have only thinning of hair
• While hair loss on the head is visible, the patient tends to lose hair on the body, eye lashes, eyebrows, etc.
• Wearing a scarf or a wig is an option, as the hair would grow back although the color could be slightly different. Your hair will regain its texture and color once the treatment is over.

Weight Gain

• Weight gain mainly happens due to depression, anxiety, medication, inactivity and emphasis on eating.
• Consult your doctor for an appropriate diet and supplements if required.
• Do not go on a diet on your own, as you might be deficient of certain nutrients.

Lowered Resistance to Infections

• Resistance is lowered as the blood count is affected during chemotherapy wherein the number of white cells goes down.
• Stay away from immunized children, large crowd and public places for a week or two, after chemotherapy.
• A flu vaccine is recommended for some patients before chemotherapy
• If the white cells count is very low then the doctor could recommend a G-CSF i.e. granulocyte colony stimulating factor.

Side effects of breast cancer chemotherapy most of the times disappear after the treatment is over. In case rare cases, we cannot rule out the chances of patients having myelosuppression as a side effect of chemotherapy. It is essential to consult your doctor as medications and various alternative treatments are available for most of these and do not forget to ask your oncologist questions related to chemotherapy. This will clear your doubts and prepare you to manage your side effects more effectively.