As with any drug, everyone reacts differently to chemotherapy,
so side effects will vary among individuals. In
this section you will find:
To learn about coping with chemotherapy, here is a downloadable fact sheet.
What you can do to help manage colorectal cancer treatment side effects
Below are suggested tips to help you manage the most common side effects of colorectal
cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy. If you experience any of these or other
side effects, be sure and share this with your physician as he/she can help you
better manage your condition.
Nausea and vomiting
The following tips may help prevent or control nausea and vomiting between chemotherapy
treatments:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals and snacks throughout the day.
- Eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
- Avoid greasy, high-fat foods such as hamburgers, fried foods and potato chips.
- Right after eating, rest sitting up and avoid lying down.
- To settle an uneasy stomach, drink clear liquids (like juice or flat ginger ale)
or try sucking on mints or ice chips (ice should be avoided with certain chemotherapy regimens. Check with your doctor.)
Diarrhea
The following tips may help reduce the chances of diarrhea caused by chemotherapy:
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (too much water loss), and make sure
the water is at room temperature (avoid cold water).
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea) and alcohol-containing drinks because they cause the
body to lose fluids.
- Avoid nuts and seeds, raw/high-fiber vegetables (broccoli, corn, etc.) and fruits
with skin.
- Avoid high-fat foods and milk products.
If you experience diarrhea, it’s important to contact the doctor.
Numbness, Tingling, or Pain in the Fingers and Toes
- Cover your skin before you enter cold places or touch cold objects
- Avoid cold drinks and foods
- Do not use ice to soothe mouth sores or ease nausea (ice should be avoided with certain chemotherapy regimens)
Fatigue (tiredness)
The following tips may help reduce fatigue:
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat a balanced diet.
- To avoid dizziness, move slowly when lying down or sitting up.
- Allow plenty of rest during the day and plan regular naps.
- Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. Lean on friends and family members
during this time.
Mouth sores
Make sure you or the person you’re caring for contacts the doctor or nurse
if mouth sores occur. The following tips may help prevent or manage mouth sores:
- Brush the teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush after each meal.
- Avoid alcohol-containing mouthwash.
- Wait for food to cool to room temperature before eating to avoid mouth irritation.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything that could irritate the mouth, such as spicy foods,
citrus fruits or juices (like orange, lemon or grapefruit), nuts and pretzels.
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What your doctor can do to help you manage colorectal cancer treatment side effects
- Your doctor can prescribe medicines at the same time as your chemotherapy to help
prevent vomiting or nausea.
- Injections of medicine called growth factors can be given to help the bone marrow
recover from chemotherapy and start making new blood cells which can help with fatigue.
- Transfusions of red blood cells or platelets from blood donors help many people
avoid anemia and the fatigue it causes.
Talk to your doctor about which preventive medicines may be right for you. Learn
about additional tips for managing
colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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