Symptoms & Common Problems

Learn about some of the common side effects and health issues that patients experience and find information on treatment options and where to go to learn more and get help.

Many side effects from cancer therapy occur during treatment and resolve in the weeks and months after therapy. However, some side effects do not go away and others can show up years later. For many of these problems, there are treatments available. In this section, we list some of the common side effects and health issues that patients experience with information on treatment options and where to go to learn more and get help.

For some issues, we have specialized clinical services that combine expert care for side effects from cancer treatment and research to improve our understanding and provide the most up-to-date treatments for these problems.

Cancer as Chronic Disease

Having a cancer which is not curable does not mean there is no treatment or hope. Sometimes a cancer which is not curable can be treated for many years -- the cancer can be a chronic (ongoing) illness much like diabetes or high blood pressure. For some people, this means long term medications or other treatments. For others, this can be a cancer in remission, with watchful waiting for a possible recurrence.

Living with cancer in this way brings unique challenges. Some people feel like they are stuck in a place of fear or uncertainty. Friends and family may have difficulty understanding your situation. It can be difficult to find a “new normal.”

No matter how grateful...for their continuing existence, it requires not the spurt of sprinters but the stamina and sometimes the loneliness of long distance runners...The social pressure to be upbeat can get anyone down.

The concept of a cancer that is not curable but is treatable for many years is relatively new. If you have this kind of chronic cancer you may feel that you are alone or that people around you do not understand the challenges you are facing. You may have difficulty finding the kind of support that you need.

It is important to let your health care team, including both your Primary Care doctor and your Oncology team, know how you are feeling and what you are having difficulty with. Even when things are going well from a cancer perspective, it is very normal for you to be struggling emotionally or physically and your team wants to help.

Where do I Start?

The first step may be as simple as allowing yourself to accept whatever feelings, both emotional and physical, present themselves. It is okay to feel frustrated, sad, fearful, tired, joyful, hopeful, and grateful, all at the same time! It will be important to find someone that you feel safe discussing these feelings with. That might be one of your doctors, it might be a mental health professional, it might be a friend or family member, or a support group, or it might be a combination of all of these people. If you have difficulty identifying the right person to confide in, start with the health provider who knows you best. Rest assured that you are not alone.

What can I do on my own?

Finding a way to cope with the physical and emotional toll of chronic cancer will be different for each person. It may take some time until you find a way that works well for you.

Jon Kabat-Zinn’s classic book Full Catastrophe Living can be an excellent resource for mindfulness-based stress reduction. The program “shows you how to use medically proven mind-body approaches derived from meditation and yoga to counteract stress, establish greater balance of body and mind, and stimulate well-being and healing... to manage chronic pain, promote optimal healing, reduce anxiety and feelings of panic, and improve the overall quality of your life, relationships, and social networks.”

Exercise

Exercise can have many benefits after treatment for cancer. Studies have shown that higher rates of physical activity may reduce the risk of colon, breast, endometrial, and lung cancers. There is evidence that increased physical activity after a colon cancer diagnosis can reduce the risk of recurrence. For breast cancer patients, exercise has been shown to improve overall fitness, reduce fatigue, improve quality of life and reduce side effects from therapy.

Exercise can also help with the emotional recovery after a cancer diagnosis and is part of the transition to a healthy lifestyle after completion of initial treatment. It is a good idea to talk to your oncology team and your primary care doctor about exercise and determine what type of program might be right for you. Some patients may avoid exercise because they don’t think it is safe or they do not think it can help them, and this is usually not true.

Where do I start?

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 150 minutes each week of aerobic exercise (running, walking) and muscle/strength training at least twice each week for most survivors of cancer.

Specific exercise recommendations should be based on the individual patient, their medical condition and exercise tolerance. Please speak to your oncology care team or primary care physician for advice.

Because Everyone's Journey IS Different

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