The Hidden Side-Effects of Breast Cancer Treatments: What Women Need to Know
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women. Thanks to advances in medicine, many women are able to survive breast cancer with proper treatment. However, these treatments can come with side-effects that may not be talked about as often.
These hidden side-effects can have a significant impact on a woman’s quality of life during and after treatment. Here are some things every woman should know about the potential side-effects of breast cancer treatments:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells. While it can be effective in treating breast cancer, chemotherapy also comes with its own set of side-effects.
One common side-effect is hair loss, which can be distressing for many women. Chemotherapy can also cause nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and an increased risk for infections due to weakened immune system.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation beams to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy has its own set of potential side-effects.
Skin irritation at the site where radiation was given is common and may last several weeks after treatment ends. Radiation therapy may also cause fatigue and changes in skin color or texture.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy works by blocking certain hormones that fuel the growth of some types of breast cancers. It’s often used when breast cancers are hormone-receptor positive (meaning they need hormones like estrogen or progesterone to grow).
While hormone therapy doesn’t usually cause hair loss or other physical symptoms like chemotherapy does, it can lead to hot flashes (sudden feelings warmth), vaginal dryness/irritation/painful intercourse if you’re postmenopausal) , mood swings/depression/anxiety , joint pain/stiffness/muscle weakness .
Surgery
Surgery is often used to remove breast tumors. Depending on the extent of the cancer, a woman may have a lumpectomy (removal of just the tumor and some surrounding tissue) or mastectomy (removal of all breast tissue).
Surgery can cause physical discomfort, including pain and swelling at the site where surgery was performed. It may also affect body image and self-esteem.
What Can Women Do?
It’s important for women to discuss potential side-effects with their healthcare provider before starting any treatment. Your doctor can help you understand what to expect during treatment and how best to manage any side-effects that arise.
In addition, there are steps women can take to minimize side-effects:
– Eat a healthy diet: Eating well can help boost your immune system and reduce fatigue.
– Get plenty of rest: Resting when you need it is important for managing fatigue.
– Exercise regularly: Physical activity has been shown to improve mood, energy levels, and overall quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
– Seek support from loved ones or support groups: Talking about your experience with others who’ve gone through similar experiences can be helpful emotionally.
Future Advances
As researchers continue studying breast cancer treatments, new advances are being made every day. Some promising areas include:
Immunotherapy – this type of therapy uses drugs that stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively.
Targeted therapies – these therapies work by targeting specific molecules involved in cancer growth rather than killing all fast-growing cells like chemotherapy does. This means they’re often less toxic than traditional chemotherapy.
Gene therapy – Gene therapy involves using genetic material (DNA/RNA)to treat or prevent disease . In case of Breast Cancer , gene editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 could be used for developing personalized medicines based on patient’s unique genetic makeup .
While there is still much research needed in these areas before they become widely available options for patients undergoing treatment; it’s exciting news knowing that researchers are working hard to find ways to improve the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
References:
1) American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast Cancer Treatment Options.
2) National Breast Cancer Foundation. (2021). Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment.
3) Mayo Clinic. (2020). Breast cancer treatment: Can it cause fatigue?
4) National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.(2019). Gene Therapy
5) The New York Times .( 2018 ) . Immunotherapy Offers Hope to a Cancer Patient, but No Certainty
*Note: this site does not provide medical opinions or diagnosis and should not be relied upon instead of receiving medical attention from a licensed medical professional.
