Special Issues - Chemotherapy - Cancer Council Victoria

Home>Cancer information>Treatments & side effects>Chemotherapy

Thursday 1 April, 2010

Reviewed by: Assoc. Prof. Ian Davis MB BS (Hons) PhD FRACP FAChPM, Medical Oncologist, Austin Health. Assoc. Member, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research; Dr Anthony Dowling, Medical Oncologist, St Vincent's Hospital.

Contraception

Despite some chemotherapy drugs decreasing fertility, it may still be possible for pregnancy to occur. Because there is a risk that chemotherapy drugs may affect ova and sperm, and hence the unborn baby, pregnancy is not advised, either for female patients or for the female partners of male patients. It is often recommended that you do not become pregnant or father a child for some months after chemotherapy is completed. This is because the toxic effect of the chemotherapy may still be in your ova or sperm. You must use contraception. Discuss this with your doctor or nurse if necessary. Should pregnancy occur, discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible.

Protecting others from chemotherapy

If you are sexually active, use a condom if you have sex on the days you have chemotherapy and for two days after chemotherapy. This is to protect your partner from any chemotherapy that may be in your body fluids.

Other people should avoid contact with your urine, faeces or vomit during treatment and for the first three to seven days after each chemotherapy treatment.

It is safe for someone having chemotherapy to handle children and be around pregnant and breast-feeding women.

Protecting family and friends from chemotherapy

People should avoid contact with the patient's urine, faeces or vomit during treatment and for the first 3 to 7 days after each chemotherapy treatment. It's safe for the patient to handle children and be around pregnant and breast-feeding women.

Diet

It's important to eat a range of foods to keep your diet balanced. Sometimes you may not feel hungry. Try to catch up on days when you are hungry. Eat small meals often or snacks if your appetite is poor.

Be willing to change your meals around. If you happen to feel hungrier at breakfast time, have your main meal then and a light meal (such as breakfast cereal) at a time when you feel less like eating.

A hospital dietitian will be able to help if you have problems with food. See our nutrition and exercise section for more or call our Helpline (13 11 20).

Fluids

You'll need to drink more fluids so the chemotherapy drugs can be quickly removed from your body once they've done their work. This will help reduce side effects. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if this is necessary. If your drugs are given intravenously, you should drink extra fluid for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. If your drugs are taken by mouth, extra fluid is needed on each day that the drug is taken.

Ask your doctor how much you need to drink. Soups, jellies, icy-poles and fruit, as well as more frequent drinks, will help to give you the extra fluid you need.

Alcohol

A small alcoholic drink before meals can help to stimulate the appetite. However, check with your doctor or pharmacist first as some anti-nausea drugs react badly with alcohol.

Skin care

Take good care of your skin while you have chemotherapy. Your doctor should check any changes in your skin, such as rashes, infections or peeling, or any changes in your nails.

It will help your recovery if you get out and enjoy the fresh air. Having chemotherapy may mean your skin is a little more sensitive to the sun than normal, so protect yourself by avoiding the sun in the middle of the day, wearing a sunsmart hat and shirt and using a good sunscreen (SPF 30+).

Sexuality and cancer

Cancer treatment and the emotional effects of cancer may affect people with cancer and their partners in different ways. Some people may withdraw through feelings of being unable to cope with the effects of treatment on themselves or their partner. Others may feel an increased need for sexual and intimate contact for reassurance.

The side effects of chemotherapy may mean that you don't feel like having sex because you're too tired or you feel sick. Because of body changes, some people may also feel that they are less sexually attractive. Sometimes, male patients may not be able to have an erection and female patients may experience some vaginal dryness. These changes are usually temporary and everything will return to normal as you feel better or as you complete your treatment. Sometimes simple measures, like using a lubricant to relieve vaginal dryness, may be all that's needed.

It's important to talk about your feelings with your partner. If you have difficulties in continuing with your usual sexual activities, discuss this with your doctor or with a trained counsellor.

Some people can feel sad after learning of a cancer diagnosis and going through treatment without a partner. Sharing these feelings with a counsellor or a trusted friend or family member can make a big difference to how you feel.

See our sexuality and cancer section for more information.