Managing the effects of cancer and treatment

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Managing the effects of cancer and treatment

Side effects are problems you may get because of your cancer and treatment. These effects depend on the type of treatment you have and can range from mild to severe. Information in this section may support with some of those problems.

Find out more

Macmillan - Side effects of cancer treatment

Managing stress and learning to relax

Feeling fearful, anxious or panic is common when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. This is often increased when waiting for test results, treatment and appointments at the hospital.

Learning to relax and doing activities that help you relax can help reduce the difficult emotions. You can try the following activities to help:

  • Yoga
  • Gentle exercise
  • Listening to music
  • Gardening
  • G oing for a walk
  • Mindfulness/meditation
  • Arts and crafts
  • Swimming

Learn more about coping with fear, anxiety and panic on the Cancer Research UK website.

Useful links

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a technique practised to enable us to be fully aware of ourselves, others and the environment. This includes being aware of and accepting without judgement, our bodies, emotions and senses, as they happen.

It is a skill that all of us are capable of, but it can take practice if you’re used to doing several things at once, rushing through things or being emotionally provoked.

To be mindful is to be calm and alert to the present moment and the practise can help manage difficult emotions that often happen when we are stressed and worried.

You can learn more and access free resources or paid for courses on the Breathworks website.

Diet

A cancer diagnosis might mean that changes need to be made to diet due to the cancer itself or treatment that you are receiving.

Your cancer nursing team will provide you with information about your diet, if changes are required and in some cases a referral will be made to the dietetics team.

More information about the dietetics team can be found here.

More general information about diet can also be found on the Macmillan website:

Hair loss

You may experience hair loss if you are having chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal and targeted (biological) therapy. If you are having surgery in an area of the body that has hair, like the head for example, the area may need to be shaved.

Find out more

Macmillan - Hair loss

Natural Image Wigs Natural Image Wigs is our local service for wigs and referrals can be made from the chemotherapy day unit or your cancer team.

HeadWrappers For hair loss support, including lashes, brows and headscarf workshops, visit HeadWrappers.

Cancer Hair Care UK Cancer Hair Care UK offers a free hair loss advisory service including information, support and workshops.

Fatigue

This is a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion. This can range from mild tiredness that is better after a period of rest, to extreme tiredness (fatigue) where you have no energy at all. This often improves once treatment has finished.

Find out more

Managing cancer related fatigue

Macmillan - Coping with fatigue

Macmillan - Physical activity

Being active before, during and after treatment is safe. It can reduce fatigue along with improvements in general health and wellbeing.

Sleep

Some of the difficulties with sleep that people with cancer often struggle with are:

  • Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
  • Hot flushes and night sweats which can cause people to wake or make it difficult to get comfortable to sleep.
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness, restless legs syndrome and worry/anxiety.

Mental reframing is about reviewing the negative thoughts and emotions around sleep and beginning to develop more positive and mindful habits.

Relaxation techniques: Both progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises physically calm the body into a state conducive to sleep. The process of completing the exercises also gives the mind something to focus on, other than the worries and anxiety about cancer.

Sleep hygiene: Good sleep behaviour, such as following a bedtime routine, adhering to a consistent sleep schedule, keeping the bedroom cool and dark and avoiding heavy meals, stimulating caffeine or alcohol at night.

Sleep schedule: Only spend time in bed when you're supposed to be asleep and get out of bed at wake time, whether or not you have had a full 7 hours. It is advised to not take naps during the day. The idea behind sleep restriction is that it eventually forces the brain to naturally adhere to that set sleep schedule.

Sleep products

  • Cooling products can provide relief for cancer patients dealing with night sweats or hot flushes. These mattresses are designed with more breathable materials, such as gel-infused foams or latex, to provide a cooler sleep surface.
  • White noise machines help many individuals with insomnia fall asleep. These standalone electronics or smartphone apps have large libraries of nature sounds, classical music or traditional white noise to block out distracting noise and thoughts.
  • Weighted blankets can be calming for a variety of individuals, but many patients with Restless Leg Syndrome find that they adequately soothe symptoms.
  • The Macmillan Cancer Support website has more information about difficulty sleeping.
  • The Headspace app offers meditations and support when experiencing difficulty sleeping.
  • Sleepio is a clinically evidenced sleep improvement programme which is fully automated and highly personalised using cognative behavioural techniques to help improve poor sleep.

Sex and cancer

Cancer and treatments can affect many areas of sexual wellbeing. There may be changes that are physical, emotional or practical. Many changes are temporary and usually resolve after treatment ends. If you have any concerns they can be raised with your cancer team at any time.

Find out more

Macmillan - Sex and cancer

Emotions

It is common to experience a wide range of emotions when you have been diagnosed with cancer and have to have treatment to treat or manage it. There is no right or wrong way to feel as everyone will cope in their own way. Your cancer team or the Macmillan Support Service can support you.

Find out more

Macmillan - How are you feeling?

Breathlessnes

Breathing exercises and relaxation techniques may help you if you become breathless.

Try to stay calm if you become breathless. This is easier said than done sometimes. But the more anxious you get, the tighter your muscles will be, and the worse your breathing will become.

Follow the link below to watch a video and access resources from Cancer Research UK that can help you practise different breathing techniques.

Cancer Research UK - Breathing relaxation techniques

Menopause and cancer

Early menopause can be a big adjustment, but you don’t have to go through it alone. 

With the right support and information, you can manage the changes and continue to focus on your health and wellbeing. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek help from your cancer team - they are there to help you navigate these changes every step of the way. 

For more information and support, you can visit Macmillan’s Menopause Awareness webpage, which provides guidance and resources to help you through this journey. You can also visit the Boots Health Hub.

Symptoms tracker - Rock My Menopause

What is POI - Daisy Network

Menopause and Cancer with Dani Binnington

The Menopause Charity

Find a BMS-recognised Menopause Specialist - British Menopause Society

Menopause resources for LGBTQIA+ people

GenM | The menopause partner for brands

Memory and concentration

When you have cancer treatment, you may notice changes in your memory, concentration or your ability to think clearly. These are called cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) and sometimes people refer to it as 'chemo brain'. Some people notice that they are more forgetful or have trouble concentrating or making decisions after treatment for cancer. 
 
Symptoms may include:
  • Difficulty multitasking or concentrating on single tasks.
  • Poor short term memory.
  • Short attention span.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Feeling confused.
  • Difficulty finding the right word when talking or writing.
  • Difficulty completing everyday tasks.
  • Finding it hard to learn new skills

Changes in memory and concentration can affect people with cancer who have not had chemotherapy and can sometimes be caused by:

  • Cancer types like brain tumours.
  • Treatments including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and steroids.
  • Treatment to the brain.
  • High dose treatment of radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
  • Side effects of cancer treatment, anaemia, infection, fatigue, sleep problems, diet and menopause.
  • Anxiety or depression.
  • Pain and/or fatigue.
  • Some medications, such as antidepressants and painkillers.
  • Underlying additional medical conditions, e.g. dementia.

For further information and tips for managing memory and concentration problems, visit the links below:

If you are concerned about your symptoms, please speak to your cancer nurse specialist, oncologist or consultant at the hospital.

Nausea and vomiting

There are different reasons why someone with cancer may be feel or be sick. These include physical changes, cancer treatment and emotional responses.
Nausea and vomiting can be caused by:
  • Some cancers or cancer symptoms.
  • Chemotherapy or other cancer treatments.
  • Some medicines, such as strong painkillers or antibiotics.
  • Constipation.
  • Infection.
  • Altered chemical levels in the blood, caused by the liver or kidneys not working properly.
  • Changes to how the stomach works.
  • Changes that affect your brain.
  • Anxiety.
Treatments that can cause nausea and vomiting
Cancer treatments that can cause nausea and vomiting include:

 

You can find further information and support by visiting the links below:

Bowel and bladder

Bladder and bowel problems can happen because of the cancer itself, surgery and treatment including radiotherapy and some medications.
Bladder problems might include:
  • Passing urine (peeing) more often than usual.
  • Passing urine during the night.
  • A burning feeling when you pass urine (similar to a urine infection).
  • A feeling that you are not able to wait when you need to pass urine.
  • Blood in your urine.
  • Leaking small amounts of urine (incontinence).
Bowel problems might include:
  • Loose stools (poo) or diarrhoea.
  • Hard stools or constipation.
  • Needing to empty your bowel (poo) urgently.
  • Cramping pains in your tummy (abdomen) or back passage (rectum).
  • Passing a lot of wind.
Speak to your cancer nurse specialist, oncologist or consultant if you are experiencing any of these problems.
If you are experiencing problems, it can cause you to lose confidence, and you might avoid going places where you cannot access public toilets.
This toilet card and key ring is designed to give you urgent access to a toilet when out in public. Whilst we hope that the card allows you urgent access, it will be at the discretion of the establishment.
You can order one here or by visiting your local Macmillan information and support service.
For more information and support about bowel and bladder problems, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/bladder-and-bowel-problems.
If you have any symptoms please discuss these with your cancer nurse specialist, oncologist or consultant.