Tips to deal with side effects

Different medications, treatments and therapies have different side effects. Often, you can take steps to prevent or reduce issues from treatment.

Your treating team can give you information on ways to manage side effects of treatments recommended for you. You should always talk to your team if you feel very unwell or develop new symptoms or side effects that are worrying you.

The tips on this page are general ideas to reduce the impact your treatments may have on you.

Understand your drugs

Ask your treating team what side effects to expect from a new treatment. This helps you prepare and know what signs to look out for.

Your medical oncologist, oncology nurse or hospital pharmacist can give you a fact sheet for each drug you are prescribed. It explains how the drug works and the side effects you can expect

The list of side effects can be long and sometimes scary but it is unlikely you will experience all of them. For medico-legal reasons, the information sheet must include all possible side effects.

For example, look at the list of side effects for drugs you may take commonly, such as Panadol or Nurofen. The list includes liver failure and gastric bleeding, but consider how many you actually experience.

Ask for help early

It is always easier to manage side effects earlier, rather than later. It is easier to prevent things like pain, nausea or constipation than treat them.

If you are finding it hard to cope, let your medical oncologist, oncology nurse or GP know. It’s better to ask for help earlier than wait.

You may be able to:

• call the day treatment centre for advice during business hours
• speak to your breast care or chemotherapy nurse
• talk to your GP.

Your medical oncologist or oncology nurse can let you know the best ways to manage side effects. They will assess you regularly between each cycle of treatment to see how you are going.

Record the symptoms and side effects

Many people find it helpful to record their side effects. You won’t have to try and remember at your next appointment with your doctor, breast care nurse or oncology nurse.

Even if the side effect doesn’t seem serious, make a note of:

• what the side effect is
• when it happens
• how long it lasts
• what the symptoms are
• what you did or took to treat it, if anything.