Many chemotherapy drugs damage not only the cancer cells but to a lesser extent other cells in the body which grow and reproduce rapidly, which is why you may suffer from side-effects from your treatment. The areas which tend to be affected are:
digestive system, including the mouth. You may experience some nausea or sickness, although this depends on your drugs and can also vary from person to person. In any case, you will be offered anti-sickness drugs, which are extremely effective for many people in preventing sickness completely. It is important to stress that chemotherapy does not necessarily cause sickness, and that many patients nowadays have none at all. Your bowel habits may also be affected: diarrhoea and sometimes constipation can be caused by the effects of chemotherapy drugs. You may also find that your mouth becomes very tender, or that you develop mouth ulcers;
bone marrow, which produces new red and white blood cells and platelets. You will have regular blood tests throughout your treatment to monitor your ‘blood count’. If your red blood cell count is low, you may find that you become very tired, as the amount of oxygen being carried around your body is less than normal. This can be successfully treated by a blood transfusion. If your white cell count is low, you will be more prone to infection than usual, as the white cells are responsible for fighting off bacteria. This can be treated with antibiotics, if necessary. If your platelet count is low, you will find you bleed more than usual from minor cuts, and bruise more easily than normal. This can be treated by a platelet transfusion, which will help your blood to clot more easily;
hair. Some – although not all – chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, which many people find a very distressing prospect. This is probably the most widely known side-effect of chemotherapy because it is so visible. However, it is not the case that all chemotherapy drags cause hair loss, and you should check with your doctor rather than assuming this will happen to you. Perhaps one of the reasons people find hair loss difficult to face is that it provides a constant reminder of your cancer, even if you are otherwise feeling relatively strong and well. Your hair will start to fall out a few weeks after your chemotherapy starts, and it will almost always grow back again once your treatment is completed.
There may also be more specific side-effects associated with your chemotherapy drugs: the staff who are nursing you will discuss these with you before your treatment starts.
*26\118\2*
