Some of the most common short-term side effects of chemotherapy are hair loss (alopecia), nausea and vomiting. The side effects you are likely to have will depend on the chemotherapy drugs you are given.
Hair loss (alopecia)
Hair loss (also called alopecia) is a well-known side effect of chemotherapy. Though it's most visible on your head, hair loss occurs all over the body.
Using a gentle shampoo and washing your hair less often may reduce hair loss. However, with some chemotherapy drugs (including anthracyclines such as doxorubicin, and taxanes such as paclitaxel or docectaxel) you almost always lose your hair.
Coping with hair loss
During treatment, you will deal with many emotional aspects of breast cancer. Losing your hair can be especially hard. As with breast surgery, losing your hair can feel like an "assault" on another part of your body that is tied to your identity.
Wigs, hats and scarves may help you cope with hair loss. If you are thinking about wearing a wig, you may want to buy one before you start chemotherapy. Many insurance plans cover all or part of the cost of a wig for people getting chemotherapy if the claim includes a health care provider's prescription or letter.
Some people cut their hair short once they start chemotherapy to prepare for the loss of their hair. This may help you feel in control.
When will hair grow back?
Hair will begin to grow back two to three months after treatment ends, though it may be a different color and/or texture than it was before [22]. It often comes in curlier and grayer. Hair texture will return to normal over many months. You can dye or color your hair whenever you like.
A Note if You are Traveling by Air
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Susan G. Komen for the Cure® wants to ensure breast cancer survivors are treated with respect and dignity. If you have lost your hair due to chemotherapy and wear a scarf or other head covering, below are some steps you can take that may help you as you plan your air travel. You do not need to do so, but if you wish, tell the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent you are undergoing breast cancer treatment. If you prefer to give this information more discreetly, the TSA now offers a notification card you can give to the agent (find this card on the TSA website).
- You may want to arrive earlier than usual at the airport, so you have ample time to go through secondary screening if necessary.
- If you are concerned about going through the body scanner for any reason, you may request a private pat-down screening.
- If you choose, or are selected for, a pat-down screening, you may request a private screening away from public areas.
- If you wear a scarf or other head covering, you do not have to remove the covering to pass through the security checkpoint. However, you may have to undergo a pat-down search of your head. In some cases, the TSA agent may then ask you to remove the scarf or head covering, but you may request a private screening away from public areas.
If you have concerns about airline security screening, visit the TSA website for the latest information and a list of other tips to make the process as comfortable as possible.
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Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are well-known side effects of chemotherapy, but some types of chemotherapy cause more nausea and vomiting than others. To help prevent and control these symptoms, your health care provider will prescribe anti-nausea medicines and give you instructions on how to use them. The anti-nausea medications you are prescribed will depend on the chemotherapy drugs you are given.
Fingernail and toenail weakness
Some chemotherapy drugs (such as paclitaxel and docectaxel) often cause damage to the fingernails and toenails. The nails may:
- Become brittle and sore
- Develop ridges
- Become more pigmented (get darker)
- Fall off
Like hair loss, nail problems are temporary. Keeping your nails short during treatment may make nail care easier. Your nails will return to normal once chemotherapy ends.
Pain
Chemotherapy drugs (including vinorelbine, cisplatin and taxanes such as paclitaxel and docectaxel) can cause nerve damage. If this happens, you may feel a burning or shooting pain (neuropathy) or numbness, usually in your fingers or toes. These side effects almost always go away after chemotherapy ends, though it may take weeks or months. In rare cases, the numbness or pain can persist.
Chemotherapy can also cause muscle pain (myalgia) or numbness. If you have these side effects, tell your health care provider right away. He/she may want to adjust your chemotherapy plan to ease these symptoms. Your provider may also prescribe mild pain relievers or suggest other treatments to ease the pain or numbness.
Learn more about managing pain related to treatment.
Mouth and throat sores (mucositis, stomatitis)
Some chemotherapy drugs (including doxorubicin and docectaxel) can harm the tissues that line your mouth and throat, causing sores (called mucositis or stomatitis). These sores can make it painful to eat or drink. Mouth sores go away once chemotherapy ends, however if you have any pain or see any problems in your mouth or throat, contact your health care provider. He/she can prescribe a special mouthwash or other medicine to relieve pain and treat the sores.
Other short-term side effects
Chemotherapy drugs can cause other short-term side effects, including:
Some of these side effects, such as loss of menstrual periods, may last after treatment ends.
Learn about long-term side effects of chemotherapy.
Anemia
Chemotherapy can cause a drop in red blood cells (anemia). Anemia can affect your quality of life by causing fatigue and shortness of breath. It can also make you look pale. Severe anemia can be treated with a blood transfusion.
Growth factors, such as erythropoietin (Procrit, Epogen and Aranesp) and similar drugs can increase red blood cell count. However, recent safety analyses have raised questions about whether people with breast cancer should get erythropoietin (for more on these safety analyses, visit the FDA website).
Leukopenia/neutropenia
Chemotherapy can also cause a drop in the white blood cell count (leukopenia/neutropenia). Many chemotherapy plans include white blood cell growth factors such as filgrastim (Neupogen) and pegfilgrastim (Neulasta). These growth factors help maintain white blood cell counts and reduce the risk of infection while you are undergoing chemotherapy. Growth factors are given by injection. Your nurse can inject these medicines, or you can learn to give yourself the injection.
Updated 01/20/12
