Side effects of metastatic breast cancer treatment

Metastatic breast cancer and its treatment can cause a number of symptoms and side effects.

Remember, everyone is different. Some people experience very few side effects or they have little impact. Others need more help to manage and reduce their side effects.

We explain the different side effects, what to look out for and ways to reduce their impact on your life.

Talk to your breast cancer specialist, GP or nurse about any side effects that are bothering you.

What causes side effects

Several things affect the type of side effects you have, and how severe they are:

• the sites your cancer has spread to
• the type of treatment you are having
• your general health and wellbeing. 

Common side effects

• Breathing problems
• Cognitive impairment – feeling vague
• Constipation
• Depression
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Fever and infection
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Heart problems
• Joint pain
• Low blood counts and risk of infection
• Menopausal symptoms
• Mouth ulcers
• Nail problems
• Nausea
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Pain
• Poor appetite
• Skin changes
• Sleeplessness (insomnia)
• Sore eyes
• Swelling in the arms and legs
• Urinary symptoms
• Weight gain or weight loss.