Dealing With Visible Side Effects of Treatment

Breast changes

If you’ve had a mastectomy, you can use an external prosthesis instead of, or before, breast reconstruction surgery. You tuck it into a bra or attach it to your skin with double-sided tape.

If you chose to get one:

• Ask your doctor for a prescription for an external prosthesis. Then, it can usually be covered by insurance.
• Ask your oncologist for referral to a specialized store that sells external prostheses. You may also find them in some lingerie departments.
• Make an appointment with a breast prosthesis consultant and allow yourself about an hour to get fitted.
• Try a variety of them to see which feels and looks the best on you.

Hair loss

Some chemotherapy kills fast-growing cells like hair follicles, whether those cells are cancer or not. Hair loss is different for everyone, and it depends on the type of chemo you’re taking. Radiation and hormonal treatments may also cause this side effect.

If you lose hair from chemo, it’s likely to fall out within 1 to 2 weeks of starting treatment. It may thin or fall out almost all at once. It’s common to lose hair over your whole body, not just on your head. This means you may lose eyelashes and eyebrows as well as arm, leg, and pubic hair.

Hair can begin to grow back even before your treatment is done. It may be thinner or a different color or texture.

You can prepare for hair loss and make it easier to deal with. For example, many women find it helpful to cut their hair short before it starts falling out. This way you can avoid losing large clumps of it in the shower or waking to large amounts on the pillow.

Here are some other tips that may help:

• Consider buying scarves, turbans, caps, or hats before your hair falls out.
• Ask your oncologist for a “cranial prosthesis” prescription to help ensure insurance coverage for a wig.
• Check with wig retailers and makers, your hair stylist, or the American Cancer Society to learn about wig and hair product options.
• Before you begin chemotherapy, match your hair texture or color to wigs. This is also a good time to have a wig styled. But if you get fitted with a wig early, know that it may fit slightly different once you lose your hair.
• Prepare loved ones, especially children, for how you’ll look with your hair gone. It may help to involve them in choosing scarves and other products.
• If you choose to go bald, remember to use sunscreen on your head when in the sun. Keep your head warm in cold climates, too.

Arm swelling

Doctors call this lymphedema. It’s swelling in the arm on the side where you’ve had breast or lymph node surgery. It can also happen after you get radiation. It’s often a temporary side effect, but it can be permanent. If so, it can affect your quality of life.

You can lessen its impact if you spot the symptoms of it early.

• Don’t ignore any swelling in your arm.
• Avoid injuring the skin of an affected arm.
• Wear gloves when you garden or do housework.
• Avoid extreme water-temperature changes.
• Keep your arm protected from the sun.
• Avoid getting shots or IVs on your affected arm.
• Don’t carry heavy handbags or wear heavy jewelry on the affected side.

The swelling may affect the type of clothing you can wear. You may need an elastic compression sleeve to control swelling, along with more loose-fitting clothes.

Ask your doctor for a referral to a certified lymphedema therapist. They can show you safe exercises and other techniques to help avoid or reduce swelling.

Weight gain or loss

You might have either during your treatment. Weight loss might be due to nausea, vomiting, or appetite changes. Weight gain is sometimes brought on by chemotherapy or hormone therapy, which can both cause early menopause. But some other medications you may take can also cause you to put on extra pounds, as can changes in your diet and being less active.

Now is not the time to diet. Eat nutritious, balanced meals to help yourself stay at a healthy weight, keep up your energy, and heal.

These recommendations may help:

• Eat plenty of protein, but limit saturated fat, sugar, alcohol, and salt.
• Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day, especially if you’re nauseated.
• Exercise to help with weight control and keep up your appetite. Exercise helps with other side effects too, such as fatigue and depression. Ask your doctor what activity level is right for you.
• Find an exercise partner to help you stick with a routine. Even a few minutes a day can make a positive difference in how you feel.

Sadness and Depression

The experience of breast cancer will have an effect on your emotions. You may feel tired, frustrated, angry, and sad at different times. Depression is a normal part of the breast cancer experience. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and some pain medications can help cause these feelings or make them worse.

Signs that you’re depressed include:

• Sadness
• Lack of energy
• Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping more than usual
• Feeling hopeless
• Thoughts of suicide

If you have depressed feelings, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out if it’s because of depression or extreme fatigue. They may be able to switch out one or more of your medications. They may suggest complementary medicine such as yoga or art therapy. If needed, they can prescribe antidepressants or refer you to a therapist.

Depression can make it hard for you to stay on your cancer treatment. It’s important to manage the feeling so that it doesn’t overwhelm you. There are a number of simple things you can do to help yourself feel better, a little at a time:

• Remember that your feelings can and will change
• Do things that make you feel calm and relaxed: take a walk, watch your favorite TV show, work on a puzzle.
• Get moderate exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet and stay away from sugary, refined foods and alcohol.
• Spend time every day with a friend or loved ones.
• Find someone you can talk to, whether it’s a friend, loved one, or therapist.
• Go easy on yourself: Don’t expect to do everything you did at the same pace as you did before you had cancer. Break chores into smaller steps and let others help you when possible.
• Put off important decisions, such as changing jobs or getting married, until you feel better.