One of the most common therapies used to treat breast cancer is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy attacks cancer cells but it also attacks other cells in the body, so most people who undergo chemo will experience some side effects. Most side effects subside fairly quickly after treatment ends, according to the American Cancer Society. Here are some of the most common side effects caused by chemotherapy:
1. Hair, Skin and Nails
Because chemotherapy attacks fast-growing cells like cancer cells, patients often experience sudden changes to hair, skin and nails that are also made up of fast growing cells. Hair loss is a well-known side effect probably because it is so visible, but patients also struggle with sore and dry skin, brittle nails, and skin discoloration.
One bad side effect of chemo for breast cancer patients is closing of your tear ducts. I confronted oncologist- said they didn’t know. Called opthamologist and he said it is quite common for cancer patients. He said if I had started on the eye drops b4 I started chemo I wouldn’t have had the problem. Tears going down your face. He had to clip my tear ducts to open them again. Wasn’t sure it would work but it did- thank goodness.
Hi Evelyn. Thank you for sharing that experience with our readers and we are glad that you were able to get some help with this.