These Tips From Experts and Real Women Can Help You Manage Your Cancer Treatment

A month before her 55th birthday and mere months after a clean breast exam, my mom, Diane, felt a lump behind her nipple. My heart sank when she told me, and it sank even further the following week when our worst fears were confirmed. It was invasive ductal breast cancer. The first thing we did was sort out her treatment options, which we agreed she should begin as immediately as possible. She’d undergo six months of chemotherapy split between two different drug treatments, a double mastectomy, radiation and then lifelong medication. Despite the slight comfort that came with having a solid plan, my mom has always been the penultimate warrior in my eyes, which made it all the more rattling to see the emotional and physical tolls cancer treatment took on her.

Those who have battled cancer know how exhausting and painful it can be to live with the disease. There are so many variations of cancer with myriad treatment options that themselves often come with their own sets of severe side effects and prolonged health challenges. All of this can cause patients physical, emotional and mental distress. But thankfully, doctors say there are remedies that can at least help manage the symptoms and lasting side effects of cancer treatment. My mom developed physical and mental habits that she says to this day saved her from succumbing to the distress, and her fellow survivors can do the same.

Cancer treatment options and their potential side effects

There are a number of potential cancer treatment side effects, but not all of them are experienced by the majority of patients, and some cancer patients don’t experience any at all. The frequency and severity depends on the type and number of drugs as well as the dose of chemotherapy and the reaction with the individual’s body.

“The standard of care for most malignancies to date continues to be surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, but more and more, targeted therapies also have surged in cancer protocols,” says Francisco Contreras, MD, Chief Oncologist at Oasis of Hope Hospital. “All of these have a number of side effects that vary from mild to severe.”

Surgery options for breast cancer include lumpectomy or mastectomy, with or without breast reconstruction, explains Ryland Gore, MD, a breast surgical oncologist at Methodist Le Bonheur. She explains that most patients also need to have a lymph node biopsy or even removal of all the regional (axillary) lymph nodes. After surgery, the most common side effect is pain, says Dr. Gore, and patients may also experience swelling; decreased range of motion; difficulty with lifting, pulling, or pushing; fluid collections of the breast or axilla; or numbness and tingling of the breast and arm.

Chemotherapy radiation and targeted therapies also have negative impacts. Dr. Contreras explains that these medications are designed to kill malignant cells, but unfortunately also inherently destroy many normal, healthy cells. Nutrients are depleted and bodily functions are attacked, resulting in side effects including but not limited to fatigue; appetite changes, nausea or vomiting; weakened immune system; constipation or diarrhea; hair loss; mouth sores; cognitive issues and memory changes (you may hear the term “chemo brain” in regards to this stage); changes to the blood including anemia, infections, low platelet counts, bleeding and bruising; and numbness in the hands or feet.“Radiation therapy is therapy that uses external beams of radiation to kill cancer cells. Side effects depend on the body part being treated, but typically is very well tolerated,” explains Dr. Gore.

Psychological side effects of cancer treatments

It’s no secret that cancer can be a wholly traumatic experience not only in the sense of grappling with an intimidating diagnosis, but also due to treatment effects. As many as three out of every four people with cancer experience symptoms of psychological distress or cognitive concerns, the CDC says.

As chemo treatments in particular can have cognitive impacts, complications such as mental fogginess, difficulty focusing, staying organized or multitasking and compromised mental clarity in general often arise. This can make it difficult for patients to function and be productive in social, professional and other capacities, which leads many to experience feelings of stress, depression, anxiety amongst other conflicting emotions. These feelings can also accompany fatigue, stomach issues and other physical side effects that make it challenging to engage in activities patients typically enjoy. Additionally, worry and self-esteem issues often set in as patients become concerned about how chemo can alter their appearance.

Physical self-care for cancer patients undergoing treatment

It’s no secret that cancer can be a wholly traumatic experience not only in the sense of grappling with an intimidating diagnosis, but also due to treatment effects. As many as three out of every four people with cancer experience symptoms of psychological distress or cognitive concerns, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says.

As chemo treatments in particular can have cognitive impacts, complications such as mental fogginess, difficulty focusing, staying organized or multitasking and compromised mental clarity in general often arise. This can make it difficult for patients to function and be productive in social, professional and other capacities, which leads many to experience feelings of stress, depression, anxiety amongst other conflicting emotions. These feelings can also accompany fatigue, stomach issues and other physical side effects that make it challenging to engage in activities patients typically enjoy. Additionally, worry and self-esteem issues often set in as patients become concerned about how chemo can alter their appearance.

Physical self-care for cancer patients undergoing treatment

It can be a challenge to fully prepare for undergoing cancer treatment. It is still not a perfect science and it’s not feasible to know definitively which, if any, side effects you personally should expect. Still, there are things you can do before, during and after treatment to be your strongest self.

• Take control of hair loss anxieties

Many women report that hair loss is one of the most emotional parts of the treatment process, and that it can be empowering and liberating to make your own decisions about how to handle the loss. Some women shave their heads before their hair has a chance to progressively fall out, or go shopping for the perfect wig before receiving their first treatment. You can also wear a cold cap, which is designed to help prevent or reduce hair loss through scalp hypothermia.

I still remember wig shopping with my mom, a cancer survivor, and how much joy it brought us both to find a wig that was nearly identical to her real hair! She began wearing and getting used to the wig well before she started to lose her hair so that it wouldn't feel quite as jarring.

“I felt that that was the one thing I had control of,” she says.

• Absorb the benefits of nature

Nature is shown to improve anxiety, depression, sleep, connectedness, stress, tension, confusion, fatigue and pain amongst cancer patients. In one study, participants even reported that nature was the most important resource in coping with their cancer.

When my mom was in the throes of chemotherapy, she made a frequent habit of visiting the beach. It was the off-season, so it was a bit windy and chilly, but that didn't make it any less healing. She'd drive out to a nearly empty beach (always the same one), sit on one of the picnic tables and breathe in the salt air. When she felt strong enough, she walked along the sand and watched the waves. She tried to keep her mind mostly empty, but every once in a while, she also took the opportunity in the quiet environment to tell herself she was going to be OK.

"The beach helped keep me calm, eased my nausea and anxiety," my mom says. "It brought me peace."

Indeed, Dr. Gore affirms that connecting with nature helps some patients feel like they can focus on something greater than themselves, and allows many people to feel centered while reducing stress and feelings of anxiety or depression.

• Keep your mind somewhat busy

Of course, the utmost possible relaxation and peace of mind are vital for a cancer patient, but many women find that this is achieved by balancing a clear mind with a productive one. Many patients opt to watch shows or movies, listen to music or podcasts, read, puzzle, write and chat with loved ones, nurses and fellow survivors during treatment sessions. My mom says one of the keys to her survival during cancer was continuing to work, as it distracted her from negative thoughts creeping in and helped her maintain a sense of purpose.

“Staying busy or mentally productive allows patients to stay active and feel mentally sharper, especially when some treatments, such as chemotherapy, can cause mental fog or forgetfulness,” says Dr. Gore. “Activity can decrease fatigue and improve physical endurance.”

• Make yourself comfortable

The way you dress during treatment is also very important to keep yourself comfortable. For example, wearing your comfiest, most breathable clothes or even pajamas during sessions! Chemo often causes body temperature fluctuations, so bring cozy blankets, sweaters, fuzzy socks, anything that will help you warm up should you need to.

Breast cancer survivor Jennifer Marcus Jasaitis recommends soft pajamas from Target, slippers, oversized zip-up sweatshirts and mastectomy pajamas from Amazon that are designed for postoperative drain management.

“After all of the trauma the body goes through, you want to do everything possible to be comfortable,” Jasaitis says. “For me, soft materials help me to relax and sleep better. Slippers are easy to get on and off during recovery.”

Many patients also tout the convenience of a shirt with a "port pocket," which makes the treatment port much more easily accessible. “The IV went right in there. It was very cool,” my mom said of the port pocket sweatshirt her best friend gifted to her. “My doctor saw it once and was impressed. He asked me all about it and said it was a great idea.”

• Try complementary medicine

Dr. Gore suggests using complementary medicine integrated with traditional treatments. Acupuncture, she says, may improve pain, anxiety, nausea and vomiting that can become chronic amid cancer treatment. Additionally, massages might be helpful for coping with symptoms, and there are massage therapists that work specifically with cancer patients and perform oncology massages. Massages can help improve pain, anxiety and reduce lymphedema.

• Follow doctor recommendations for physical activity

“Before surgery, ask your physician about any exercises you can do that may help with recovery,” suggests Dr. Gore. “For breast surgery specifically, patients are typically given instruction on arm exercises they can perform that will help with range of motion and mobility during the healing phase. Wearing supportive garments can provide appropriate compression. This helps with pain, posture, and helps to minimize postoperative swelling.”

Exercise generally helps improve health and quality of life, and medical experts encourage some level of physical activity for cancer patients as it can ease common treatment side effects. Physical activity is proven to boost endorphins and help fight depression, stress and anxiety, as well as increasing energy and reducing fatigue.

During or after cancer treatment, patients may feel inclined to stay still and while ample rest is required, being immobile for too long presents its own risks including loss of body function, muscle weakness and reduced range of motion. Physical activity can also actually lend itself to better quality sleep, help rebuild immune system and appetite strength and decrease the chance that some types of cancer will return. It also lowers the risk of weight gain and obesity which may increase risks of recurring or developing cancers.

The American Cancer Society’s physical activity recommendations include engaging in regular physical activity as much as possible before beginning treatment to be in the best possible shape during the process, and returning to normal daily activities as soon as possible after diagnosis and treatment. Patients should slowly work their way back into a regular movement routine and build up the amount and intensity of physical activity over time.

More specifically, the ACS recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these) for adults. Reaching or exceeding 300 minutes is ideal, and this can be divided into multiple exercise sessions of at least 10 minutes each throughout a week. Dr. Gore suggests yoga and pilates, as low-impact, resistance training and stretching exercises in particular are recommended.

“I found that exercising, even if it meant just going for short walks around my hospital room, helped me manage the intensity of my emotions brought on by chemotherapy,” says Ngozi Onwuchekwa, survivor of Rhabdomyosarcoma. Within the year of remission, she won the Mrs Exceptional Lady Universe crown at the 2023 Mrs Universe pageant, and is currently raising funds for Sarcoma UK.

• Keep up with an optimized nutrition plan

Another vital factor in maintaining quality of life during cancer treatment is a well-balanced, healthy diet. You’ll want to prioritize nutrient-dense foods that will help you maintain a healthy body weight when combined with frequent exercise, as lessening the likelihood of obesity also reduces cancer risk.

Plant foods have shown the most proven benefits in patients. This includes vegetables and whole fruits, which contain necessary vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber; fiber-rich beans and peas; whole grains and plenty of water to always stay hydrated. An ideal diet for a cancer patient limits or excludes red and processed meats, processed ingredients, refined grains, added sugars and high-calorie sweeteners and frequent alcohol consumption. The ACS says people who do choose to drink alcohol should have no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men.

“Eating a nutritious and balanced diet, even when I didn't feel like it, helped me maintain my energy levels and made it easier to deal with feelings of depression or anxiety,” says Onwuchekwa.

• Be proactive about skin care

The most common side effect of radiation therapy for breast cancer is skin changes such as darkening (similar to a sunburn), peeling, pain and swelling, explains Dr. Gore. She suggests pain relievers such as Tylenol, ibuprofen or Aleve to help with breast pain and tenderness, and emollients or creams such as Aquaphor, Eucerin, or aloe vera to help with healing.

“I used Calendula cream. It was magic!” my mom raves. “I had a little bit of redness, but no sores or peeling.”

• Care for your mental health

The ACS advocates for reaching out and accepting support when needed. This could be in a group counseling session, one-on-one meetings with psychological professionals, conversations with fellow survivors or loved ones. Many people have also expressed appreciation for the emotional outlet provided by journaling, which offers a more private approach to processing complex emotions. When you can find the energy, do the things that bring you joy, make you feel fulfilled and bring you a sense of calm and reprieve.

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