The good news is, the number of treatments offered for cancer patients is increasing every day. However, each one arrives with its own set of side-effects, both during and after the treatment. So dealing with cancer treatments and coping with its side effects go hand-in-hand. If you are aware of what the side effects of common cancer treatments are, then you could either prevent or manage them effectively.

A few common cancer treatment side effects include the following:

1. Fatigue
While the risk of developing cancer increases with age, so does fatigue. More elderly patients, especially those in the advanced stages who are receiving chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are prone to extreme tiredness. The production of both red and white blood cells in the body is reduced drastically, hence you could feel tired. Emotional anxiety and feelings of depression could also cause fatigue. Cope with fatigue by eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet every day, enjoying a moderate level of exercise, trying to follow a gentle and practical work pattern, and seeking support from friends and family when you really need it.

2. Feeling sick and nauseous
Painkillers and medications used in chemotherapy, hormone and biological therapies, all are prone to cause some level of sickness to cancer patients. Antiemetic medications help relieve the symptoms of sickness and nausea, and, in fact, prevent this side effect effectively if taken periodically. You could cope with sickness and nausea by not having any food when feeling this way, avoiding fried and unhealthy food, eating slowly and swelling food after chewing it well. A cup of ginger tea or ginger ale, and having many small meals through the day also might help reduce sickness.

3. Hair loss
Mild thinning of hair or absolute loss of all your hair is quite a common cancer treatment side effect. Chemotherapy is most often associated with this side effect, but once this treatment is stopped, usually hair starts to grow back. Being mentally prepared to go through changes with your hairstyle is the best way to cope with this side effect. Either going completely bald or having a short haircut is a practical way to handle this change. Wearing a wig, scarf, or a cap are other alternatives. Avoiding chemical dyes, coloring and hair care products and too much heat from hair styling equipment is helpful.

4. Changes to skin and nail
Medications used to treat cancer could affect your skin and nails adversely. Chemotherapy and biological therapy could cause skin rashes, redness, an itchy feeling, peeling, and discoloration is common. Nails can become dry and brittle and take a longer time to grow back. Avoiding tight-fitting gloves, hot water, and swimming in chlorinated water is important. Use a gentle chemical-free moisturizer or natural oils like almond or coconut on your skin and nails to strengthen them and keep them soft.