Chemotherapy Side Effects

One of the most dreaded things anyone can hear is that they have cancer. There is no good cancer to have – they are all frightening, although, some have better prognosis than others. With each type of cancer, there are different treatments which include different drugs or no drugs at all. One treatment, radiation treatment has its own set of side effects.

Depending on the type of cancer you are diagnosed with, your doctors will discuss with you the best treatment plan available. If chemotherapy is the best option, each medication within the treatment plan has the potential to cause significant side effects while killing the cancer cells in your body. One of the most common occurrences is hair loss. If you ask any cancer patient, hair loss has to be one of the most disturbing of any of the side effects. Another very common side effect is nausea and vomiting. In some rare instances medicinal marijuana is prescribed to patients undergoing chemotherapy in order to lessen nausea.

Almost every system of your body can be affected by the chemotherapy drugs. Mouth sores and thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth and throat) can occur; kidney and liver functions can be affected as well. There are many natural treatments being explored, such as the use of diet alterations and alternative forms of healing.

Today, with all of the research that has been done, cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was. It can be a very tough fight, but it is one the can be won. However, when considering chemotherapy or radiation treatment it is important to understand the side effects that may occur.