Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy is often vital to curing cancer, but the side effects it can cause can be hard to tolerate. Visit Jill Becker, MD, at Apex Medical Wellness in Brockton, Massachusetts, if you experience chemotherapy side effects. Dr. Becker offers cannabis medicine to treat qualifying patients with common chemotherapy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, anorexia, anxiety, and insomnia. Call Apex Medical Wellness today to schedule a consultation online for help managing chemotherapy side effects.

Why would I need chemotherapy?

You might require chemotherapy if you have cancer. Even if it is possible to remove a tumor surgically, you may need additional treatments such as chemotherapy and/or radiation. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to stop cancer cells’ growth, while radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation (like X-rays) to kill cancer cells. Newer treatments like immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy are also available. Chemotherapy is still often used because of its efficacy.

What side effects can chemotherapy cause?

Chemotherapy can be an effective cancer treatment, but it can cause significant side effects.

The drugs used in chemotherapy target the fast-growing cells typically found in cancerous tumors. Chemotherapy drugs travel throughout your body, therefore they can also affect fast-growing, healthy cells.

Some of the fast growing cells that chemotherapy can affect include bone marrow cells which produce blood cells, hair follicle cells (where the hair root grows), cells in your digestive system, and cells of the reproductive system. Depending on which chemotherapy drug you are prescribed, heart, lung, kidney, bladder, or nervous system damage can also occur. Your cancer doctor can explain more about these issues.

What chemotherapy side effects might I experience?

The most common chemotherapy side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bruising and bleeding easily
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Mouth, tongue, and throat sores
• Pain with swallowing
• Dry, discolored skin
• Weight changes
• Reduced concentration and focus
• Mood changes

Peripheral neuropathy is also common. This condition develops when chemotherapy drugs damage your nerve cells, causing pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and/or prickling sensations.

Side effects vary depending on the chemotherapy used as well as the person being treated. Some people find them manageable; others experience such severe problems they struggle to cope. How you respond depends partly on which drugs your chemotherapy contains and partly on your genetic makeup.

What can I do about chemotherapy side effects?

Your oncologist (cancer doctor) might be able to reduce some chemotherapy symptoms by giving you medications beforehand, like antiemetics, to stop vomiting. But many side effects are unpreventable, or you might not be a good candidate for preventive treatment.

At Apex Medical Wellness, Dr. Becker understands how distressing chemotherapy side effects can be. She offers cannabis medication that helps with common problems like nausea, vomiting, anxiety, appetite changes, insomnia, and pain. 

Call Apex Medical Wellness today or request an appointment online for expert help with chemotherapy side effects.