Why Side-Effect Management Matters
Most patients fear cancer treatment because of the side effects.
But with the right support, these side effects can be managed and reduced.
As a counsellor, your role is to educate patients about what to expect and offer them the right tools and care solutions at every step.
1. Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy affects both cancer cells and healthy cells, which leads to common side effects such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
Patients may also experience mouth sores, changes in taste, tingling in the hands and feet, darkened skin or nails, and irregular periods.
To help manage these, advise patients to use mild shampoo, soft hair caps, or wigs.
Suggest soft toothbrushes and saltwater rinses to prevent mouth ulcers.
Encourage them to eat small, protein-rich meals and to stay well-hydrated.
To prevent infections, they should follow hygiene routines and avoid crowded places.
Cooling pads and soft slippers can help manage nerve pain in the hands and feet.
2. Radiation Therapy Side Effects
Radiation therapy may cause skin irritation, peeling, redness, or dark patches over the treated area.
Patients may also feel localised swelling, pain, or fatigue, and sometimes, shoulder or underarm stiffness.
To relieve these effects, they can apply radiation-safe moisturisers twice daily.
Advise them to wear soft cotton clothes and avoid harsh soaps or deodorants on the treated skin.
They should get plenty of rest and start light physiotherapy to keep their shoulder joints mobile.
3. Hormonal Therapy Side Effects
Hormone therapy can cause hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, mood swings, sleep problems, and sometimes vaginal dryness or bone thinning.
To reduce discomfort, suggest breathable clothes and cooling packs for hot flashes.
Light exercises and yoga can ease joint pain.
Encourage emotional expression through journaling or counselling.
Patients at risk of bone thinning may benefit from calcium and vitamin D supplements, along with weight-bearing exercises.
4. Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy Side Effects
Targeted therapies like Trastuzumab may cause fatigue, skin rashes, or mild fevers.
Some patients might experience heart strain or rare autoimmune symptoms such as cough, colitis, or liver irritation.
Patients should go for regular cardiac check-ups and report symptoms like breathlessness or dizziness.
Encourage hydration and rest. Skin rashes can be treated with gentle, unscented lotions.
5. The Role of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy plays a key role in recovery.
It helps restore movement in the arm and shoulder after surgery or radiation.
It also prevents and manages lymphedema — swelling in the arm due to lymph node removal — through gentle exercises and compression sleeves.
Physiotherapy also helps reduce fatigue and improve posture, which supports long-term recovery.
Guide patients to certified physiotherapists or refer them to CancerMitr's physiotherapy partners.
6. Nutrition and Immune Support
Good nutrition supports the immune system and speeds up recovery.
It helps repair cells damaged by treatment, maintains energy levels, and prevents weight loss.
Encourage patients to include superfoods in their diet like turmeric, garlic, ginger, amla, bananas, pomegranates, and sprouts.
They should focus on proteins from sources like lentils, paneer, tofu, or eggs.
Iron-rich foods like spinach and dates help combat anaemia.
Calcium and vitamin D from dairy, ragi, and sunlight support bone strength.
Probiotics from curd or fermented foods aid digestion.
Patients should eat 5 to 6 small meals a day and stay well-hydrated.
If needed, they can consult a specialised onco-nutritionist.
7. Mental Health and Support Therapies
Breast cancer can bring emotional challenges like anxiety, fear, and sadness.
Encourage patients to attend counselling, join support groups, and practice meditation or journaling.
Some may benefit from ozone therapy, detox treatments, or high-dose vitamin C under doctor supervision.
8. Supportive Products from OneMitr
CancerMitr's own brand, OneMitr, offers products that make recovery easier and more comfortable.
These include:
- Mastectomy bras for gentle post-surgery support
- Edema sleeves to manage arm swelling
- Supplements for immunity and energy
- Protein powders to aid in nutritional recovery
- Wigs and chemo caps for hair loss confidence
- Radiation-safe creams and moisturisers for sensitive skin
- Hair oils to soothe and restore scalp health
- Comfort pillows for sleep and arm support after surgery
- And even indoor plants, which help reduce stress and uplift the patient's mood
All of these are available on the OneMitr website: onemitr.cancermitr.com, and as a counsellor, you can assist the patient in selecting the right items.
Side effects are temporary — but with the right care, they can be managed well.
Looking for the right breast cancer treatment?
CancerMitr connects you to expert doctors, personalized treatment plans, and complete support at every step.
Visit CancerMitr for Consultation.
