Managing the effects of cancer treatment

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Managing the effects of cancer treatment

Side effects are problems you may get because of your cancer 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.

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Macmillan - Side effects of cancer treatment

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.

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Macmillan - Hair loss

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

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Natural Image Wigs

Personal appearance

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Breast Cancer Now - Skin care and makeup tutorials

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.

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Macmillan - Coping with fatigue

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

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Macmillan - Physical activity

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.

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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.

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Macmillan - How are you feeling?