The most common treatment for any type cancer is chemotherapy. Even when surgery is required in a cancer treatment, it is accompanied by a dose of chemotherapy before as well as after the surgery. Chemotherapy is also prescribed in breast cancer. Since chemotherapy kills the rapidly dividing cancer cells in the body, it also affects those healthy cells that divide rapidly (includes cells of intestine track, nose, mouth, hair, etc).
These healthy cells repair the damage caused to them by chemotherapy but it takes time. In the mean while the body may show some side effects due to the administration of chemotherapy over these healthy cells. Especially in case of breast cancer, a woman may show various side effects that may range from nausea, weight change, anemia to menopause. We have discussed some of these chemotherapy side effects along with helpful tips to combat the same.
Menopause
In breast cancer chemotherapy, menopause is the most common symptom, as the cells in the ovaries grow rapidly. As a result a woman may experience temporary menopause as long as the chemotherapy treatment continues. But, there is an exception to this situation. If a women is near the age of natural menopause, then after going through the treatment, she may experience the permanent menopause. This may not happen in the case of a woman who is far from her age of natural menopause..
Anemia/weakness
Chemotherapy affects the red blood cells, due to which one may suffer from anemia and consequently weakness. The red blood count which lowers down due to the treatment must be refilled with natural diet that is rich in iron. Vegetables like carrot, spinach, etc are rich in iron. One can also take milk and eggs. It is very important that one must take good care of diet at this time. Even if you are unable to have full meal at one time, take small meals but frequently. Sufficient rest must be accompanied along with the diet.
These healthy cells repair the damage caused to them by chemotherapy but it takes time. In the mean while the body may show some side effects due to the administration of chemotherapy over these healthy cells. Especially in case of breast cancer, a woman may show various side effects that may range from nausea, weight change, anemia to menopause. We have discussed some of these chemotherapy side effects along with helpful tips to combat the same.
Menopause
In breast cancer chemotherapy, menopause is the most common symptom, as the cells in the ovaries grow rapidly. As a result a woman may experience temporary menopause as long as the chemotherapy treatment continues. But, there is an exception to this situation. If a women is near the age of natural menopause, then after going through the treatment, she may experience the permanent menopause. This may not happen in the case of a woman who is far from her age of natural menopause..
Anemia/weakness
Chemotherapy affects the red blood cells, due to which one may suffer from anemia and consequently weakness. The red blood count which lowers down due to the treatment must be refilled with natural diet that is rich in iron. Vegetables like carrot, spinach, etc are rich in iron. One can also take milk and eggs. It is very important that one must take good care of diet at this time. Even if you are unable to have full meal at one time, take small meals but frequently. Sufficient rest must be accompanied along with the diet.
