Usually, people who undergo cancer treatments are exposed to several side effects, most of which are long-term. One will start experiencing the main side effects of cancer treatments either weeks, months, or sometimes even years after the treatment is over. To lead a healthy and long life, one must constantly track, evaluate, and treat these side effects.
Some of the main side effects of cancer treatments include:
Problems after surgery: At times, one might experience a few side effects after undergoing surgery, which commonly depend on the organ where the surgery was performed and the type and spread of cancer.
Heart problems: Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can put a person at risk of several heart problems. Thus, one faces a greater risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and other heart-related problems.
Lung problems: Radiation therapy and chemotherapy do have a direct impact on the lungs. Those survivors who underwent both of these therapies are exposed to an increased risk of lung damage. Those who already had some lung disease are prone to more severe lung problems. As a result of this, one might experience difficulty in breathing, inflammation in the lungs, change in the functionality and the performance of the lungs, and thickening of the walls around the lungs.
Endocrine-related problems: At times, cancer treatment might hamper a person’s endocrine system. The endocrine system is a composition of the glands as well as the organs, which are responsible for the formation of sperms or eggs and the hormones. Cancer survivors are at an increased risk of experiencing hormonal changes.
Hormonal changes: Menopause and symptoms that come as a result of it, such as hot flashes, little control over bladder, osteoporosis, etc. Men might experience a change in hormones, which would result in a reduced sex drive, osteoporosis, and hot flashes. Steroid medicines, hormonal therapy, or chemotherapy can cause joint pain or osteoporosis. Immunotherapy leads to problems for the muscles and the joints, known as rheumatologic problems.
Spinal cord, brain, and nerve-related problems: Both radiation therapy and chemotherapy can have a lasting impact on the nerves, spinach cord, and the brain. This includes:
- Loss of hearing
- Risk of brain stroke
- Nerves surrounding the spinal cord and the brain are damaged
- Inability to remember, focus, or learn new things
Oral health, vision, or dental issues: Those who underwent cancer treatment might have vision, oral health, or dental problems. The outcome primarily depends on the kind of treatment received.
Digestion-related problems: Cancer treatment also has an impact on how a cancer survivor digests his or her food. If the therapy or the surgery happened around the abdominal region, one might face an increased risk of intestinal issues.
