A cancer diagnosis is nothing short of life changing. Whether the cancer has been caught early or it has a promising prognosis, it prompts dozens of questions—and just as many fears and concerns.
For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer that needs to be treated with chemotherapy, one of their most pressing inquiries might be, “How will I navigate chemo?”
Understandably so: Chemo may cause a host of side effects, ranging from
weight changes to severe hair loss.
If any of this sounds familiar to you or your loved one, trust that you’re not alone: Second only to skin cancer,
breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and accounts for 1 in 3 of all new female cancers per year. Meanwhile, all women have a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their life, with the median age for a diagnosis coming in at 62.
Here's some good news, though: Not only can chemotherapy
improve survival rates, but it can also be managed through consistent acts of self-care.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here are 8 leading suggestions for loving yourself throughout the process.
Self-Care During Chemotherapy
1. Prioritize rest
Put simply, “chemotherapy” refers to a set of potent medications designed to destroy the DNA in cancer cells and keep them from proliferating. First discovered as a novel treatment for
lymphoma during World War II, it’s proven to be a valuable tool in controlling cancer, curbing recurrence and, in some cases, curing what is
one of the deadliest diseases around the world.
As effective as chemotherapy may be, it can also damage
healthy cells. This might lead to several side effects; chief among them is fatigue.
To this end, it’s vital for you to rest when you need to (and to give yourself permission to do so). At the same time, medical experts indicate that maintaining a sense of normalcy—more on this soon—is essential to your mental well-being.
So, how can you accomplish both? Consider:
- Planning your most important activities (such as attending doctor’s appointments, tending to work obligations and running errands) for when you feel best
- Accepting support from your family, friends and colleagues, whether they’ve offered to clean your home or deliver you homecooked meals
- Taking naps earlier in the day to prevent disrupting your normal sleep patterns
- Treating yourself with tremendous empathy—and reminding yourself that your energy levels will return to normal after you’ve completed chemotherapy
2. Anticipate the physical changes you may experience
One of the most difficult aspects of chemotherapy for women (and men as well) are the potential physical changes they might endure throughout the process—alterations that are once again due to the harm chemotherapy may cause to healthy cells. These might include:
- Hair thinning and hair loss
- Excessive hair growth
- Weight loss or gain
- Dry skin
- Scarring
- Swelling
- Nail changes, like splitting
- Pressure sores
- The loss of one of your breasts
Some of these physical changes may be subtle; others more pronounced. Either way, it’s not uncommon for these side effects to impact a woman’s confidence, sense of self and sexuality.
Again, it’s crucial to remember that some of these changes will be reversible (or, in other words,
temporary). And yet, knowing they might arrive well in advance of starting chemotherapy may help you manage them with a touch more self-compassion. Speaking with a professional to help you sort through the feelings of loss that tend to arrive with a cancer diagnosis might also be extremely helpful.
You can also prepare yourself practically by:
- Investing in luxurious lotions to pamper your skin (with your doctor’s express approval, of course)
- Discussing “scalp cooling” with your physician, which reduces the level of chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles
- Considering cutting your hair (if it’s long) to mitigate the shock of hair loss, or shaving your head entirely when going through chemotherapy
- Obtaining advice from an oncology dietitian
- Seeking support from your loved ones and breast cancer survivors
- Using wigs, scarves and hats
- Exploring camouflage makeup to soften the appearance of scars
Lastly, bear in mind that there are dozens of resources available to help you feel better. For example, UCSF’s
“Friend to Friend Specialty Shops” at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center features an assortment of items, including wigs, mastectomy bras, breast prostheses and a variety of headwear. My advice? Discuss your local and online options with your physician.
3. Embrace comfort
Hospital and medical centers can be daunting—and, for some, isolating. This can feel all the more overwhelming when you must spend long stretches of time waiting between appointments, or recovering after chemo.
Bringing along items and even people that offer you a sense of comfort might help the hours speed by. This could be:
- An engrossing novel or magazine
- Your favorite blanket
- Your best friend or significant other
- An excellent podcast
- A stuffed animal (yes, even as an adult!)
4. Mindfully manage "chemo brain"
Chemo may have the potential to work wonders, but, as this post indicates, it can also take a major toll on your body
and brain. In fact, the effect it can have on your mind even has a name:
Chemo brain, or what experts refer to as “cognitive dysfunction associated with chemotherapy.” It’s primarily defined by:
- Memory lapses
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble with recalling details
- An inability to multi-task
It may be somewhat comforting to know that this, too, affects many women who are in the throes of chemo (and after). What’s more, you may be able to navigate it well by:
- Working on one task at a time
- Actively aiming to lower your stress levels
- Leveraging memory-assist tools, such as appointment reminders, notifications, alerts and voice memos
- Creating a to-do list at the start of each day and focusing most on your real priorities
- Asking for assistance from friend and family members
5. Give your oral health some TLC
Fortunately, there have been enormous advances in breast cancer treatments—and scientists are continually working towards minimizing side effects and enhancing cancer patients’ quality of life.
Despite recent and upcoming advancements, chemotherapy may leave your mouth excessively dry and vulnerable to sores and even infections.
To temper these symptoms, you may want to keep your mouth well-lubricated (such as by hydrating often) and paying special attention to your dental care. This includes brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush after every meal and periodically rinsing your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash.
6. Keep nausea at bay
One of the biggest side effects of chemotherapy is nausea, an issue that can be further complicated by changing tastes, a heightened sense of smell, and the overall stress of dealing with cancer.
Luckily, you may be able to nip nausea in the bud (or dodge it altogether) with these tips
- Allow others to cook for you, order takeout, or dine out: Cooking often stirs up a number of pungent aromas that can worsen your queasiness. And when you do cook for yourself, consider sticking to plain dishes, such as brown rice or oatmeal—two foods that may quell your nausea while they’re at it.
- Hydration is critical at all times, but it takes on next-level importance during chemotherapy. Not only will staying hydrated help you handle the mouth sores I just mentioned, but it may also prevent dehydration—another common side of chemo that’s triggered by vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, medications, or the cancer itself. Do your best to sip on clear, cool liquids throughout the day, such as water, Perrier and ginger ale.
- Speaking of ginger: it’s been a go-to source for nausea relief for centuries. This is thanks to gingerol, an organic component of ginger root, which naturally promotes gastrointestinal motility and nausea relief. In fact, experts indicate that ginger may curb post-chemo nausea without the side effects of traditional nausea medications. Consider sucking on Gins Gins when you feel queasy, or savoring a mug of organic ginger tea.
- The American Cancer Society says that some alternative therapies (such as acupuncture and meditation) may take the edge off of nausea by encouraging calm and dialing down feelings of helplessness.
7. Strive for a sense of normalcy
Shock, disbelief, anger, sorrow, hopelessness and fear—a cancer diagnosis may spark off wave after wave of overwhelming emotions. My first piece of advice here is to try to remember that, as Rilke once wrote, “no feeling is final.” Professional counseling to help sort through these new emotions, and engaging in physical activities (when you have the energy to do so) can also be a boon for cancer patients.
Another item to do add to your list: Creating and maintaining a sense of normalcy. The more you stick to your usual routine, the less dizzied you may feel by chemotherapy and the entirety of your cancer journey. This may be as simple as showering and dressing every morning, or as ambitious as dedicating yourself to a new project (like working on a painting or a scrapbook while you’re in the hospital). The point is to preserve structure and routine in your life.
8. Reward yourself
There’s no question about it: Chemotherapy can feel arduous at times (and that’s because it
is). It can be helpful to have something to look forward to as you get through treatment, whether that’s a massage, a pedicure, a movie out with a friend, or a mini vacation. Stopping to smell the flowers, so to speak, can remind you of the beauty of life—and bolster your courage, fortitude and strength.
