by D. P. Noe

Created on: September 23, 2008   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

Chemotherapy kills fast growing cancer cells and it also can affect the healthy cells in your body. Chemotherapy targets healthy cells in the lining of your mouth and your intestines. Chemotherapy also interferes with your bone marrow that produces red and white blood cells. Chemotherapy also targets the cells that make your hair grow. There is a wide range of side effects when you are receiving chemotherapy treatments for cancer. Increasing your knowledge and understanding of these side effects will help you to remain strong and determined to fight the cancer that is present in your body.

Some individuals have a lot of side effects from chemotherapy and some have few or none at all.
Certain types of chemotherapy medications have more side effects than others. Side effects can go away as soon as the chemotherapy is over or it can last for months and sometimes even years.

Sometimes there are long term affects that can occur with chemotherapy that will never go away.
Damage can occur to your heart, lungs, kidneys and reproductive organs. There are some chemotherapy treatments that may be the reason a second cancer appears years later. Your physician and nurse can explain all potential side effects and chance of any problems in the future.

Examples of the some of the side effects:

FATIGUE - You may experience mild or extreme feelings of being tired. If you are receiving radiation along with chemotherapy treatments your fatigue may be more severe. Cancer patients are encouraged to exercise to help you sleep better at night. Make sure that you get enough rest and take short naps during the day when you can. Eating five to six small meals a day rather than the normal breakfast, lunch and dinner can help you to feel better. Your doctor or nurse may have you keep a journal of issues and side effects that happen while your are receiving chemotherapy. You can share the journal with your doctor or nurse and this may help to develop a plan of how to manage your fatigue and any other side effects.

HAIR LOSS -

It is also called alopecia, which is when some or all of your hair falls out. Some of the chemotherapy drugs can cause this side effect. This is the side effect that most individuals find the most difficult to deal with. Onset of hair loss is usually 2 to 3 weeks after chemotherapy has started. It usually grows back 2 to 3 months after chemotherapy is over. When it comes back your new hair may be totally different. You may have curls instead of straight hair or it may

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