All medical treatments come with some side effects. Cancer treatments tend to have more and harsher side effects because the powerful drugs impact all cells in the body, not just the cancer cells.
Women need to fully understand the toll these treatments will have on their bodies both short and long term before starting any treatments, as many of the side effects are permanent and will surely affect the quality of their lives both short and long term.
Younger women will experience fertility issues from Standard of Care breast cancer treatments. It is important
BCA recommends taking the time to thoroughly read through each section of our website that pertains to your diagnosis, reports and treatment options you are considering several times and then discuss with your closest emotional support – and then finally discuss all of that information with your team of doctors individually because their specialties overlap – meaning what treatment you get from one of your doctors will impact your options with the others. It is important to make sure all your choices are going to work together for your treatment benefit in the end.
Chemotherapy
Short-Term Side Effects of Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
- Hair loss (alopecia): Hair loss can occur all over the body, not just on the scalp.
- Nausea and vomiting: Common side effects that can be managed with medication.
- Fatigue: Extreme tiredness is frequently experienced.
- Low blood cell counts: Increased risk of infection, anemia, and bleeding issues.
- Mouth sores and changes in taste: Chemotherapy can cause sores in the mouth and alter taste perceptions.
- Infertility: Chemotherapy can damage the ovaries, leading to temporary infertility.
Long-Term Side Effects of Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
- Early menopause: Chemotherapy can damage the ovaries, leading to early menopause.
- Heart problems: Some chemotherapy drugs can cause heart damage..
- Lung issues: Certain drugs can lead to lung problems, such as pulmonary fibrosis.
- Cognitive changes: Memory and concentration issues, often referred to as “chemo brain.”
- Bone health issues: Chemotherapy can lead to bone thinning and osteoporosis.
- Infertility: Chemotherapy can damage the ovaries, leading to permanent infertility.
Chemotherapy for breast cancer has such brutal side effects because it uses powerful drugs designed to kill rapidly dividing cells. While these drugs target cancer cells, they also affect healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those in the hair follicles, digestive tract, and bone marrow. This widespread impact leads to a range of side effects, both short-term and long-term.
Radiation
Short-Term Side Effects of Radiation for Breast Cancer
- Skin changes: Redness, swelling, itching
- Fatigue: Feeling extremely tired.
- Breast pain: Tenderness and discomfort in the treated area.
- Nausea: Some patients may feel sick to their stomach.
Long-Term Side Effects of Radiation for Breast Cancer
- Lymphedema: Swelling in the arm or chest due to lymph node damage. Most of these side effects are permanent.
- Heart problems: Potential damage to heart tissue, particularly if the left breast is treated.
- Lung issues: Lung inflammation or scarring leading to permanent respiratory problems.
- Skin changes: Permanent changes in skin color and a leathery texture. These skin changes affect reconstruction options and the permanent look of the breast.
- Bone health: Increased risk of bone thinning and fractures
- Secondary Cancers: There is an increase in the risk of developing a secondary cancer in the area that received radiation, such as lung cancer or another solid tumor.
Traditional Radiation therapy has severe permanent side effects because it uses high-energy beams to target and kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Unfortunately, this treatment also affects the other nearby healthy cells that divide quickly like chemotherapy because its depth cannot be controlled.
Proton radiation is a newer type of radiation treatment that precisely targets the tumors, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and reducing side effects listed above by two-thirds (emphasis on heart and lung problems), because the width & depth of this beam can be controlled.
Hormone (Suppression) Therapy
Short-Term Side Effects of Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
- Hot flashes: Sudden feelings of warmth, often accompanied by sweating.
- Fatigue: Persistent tiredness.
- Nausea and vomiting: Feeling sick to your stomach.
- Breast tenderness or pain: Discomfort in the breast area.
- Decreased sex drive: Reduced interest in sexual activity.
- Mood changes: Emotional ups and downs.
- Vaginal dryness or discharge: Changes in vaginal health.
Long-Term Side Effects of Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
- Bone thinning (osteoporosis): Increased risk of fractures.
- Blood clots: Higher risk of developing blood clots.
- Cardiovascular issues: Increased risk of heart problems.
- Weight gain: Unexplained weight gain.
- Memory and mood problems: Cognitive changes and emotional challenges.
- Eyesight changes: Vision issues.
Hormone therapy has harsh side effects because it significantly alters the body’s hormonal balance. These treatments work by either lowering estrogen levels or blocking estrogen receptors. This disruption leads to the range of permanent side effects discussed here because this treatment is long term, 5-10 years.
Immunotherpay
Short-Term Side Effects of Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer
- Fatigue: Feeling extremely tired.
- Skin reactions: Itchy rash or other skin irritations.
- Diarrhea: Frequent loose or watery stools.
- Nausea and vomiting: Feeling sick to your stomach.
- Decreased thyroid hormone levels: Can affect metabolism and energy levels.
Long-Term Side Effects of Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer
- Autoimmune reactions: The immune system attacking healthy tissues, affecting organs like the lungs, liver, and intestines.
- Endocrine issues: Long-term hormonal imbalances.
- Cardiotoxicity: Potential heart damage.
- Persistent fatigue: Ongoing tiredness even after treatment ends.
- Cognitive changes: Memory, learning and concentration issues.
The harsh side effects occur from Immunotherapy because the immune system, now supercharged, attacks healthy tissues as well as cancer cells. This leads to inflammation and damage in various organs and tissues, causing side effects like discussed above as well as and more serious autoimmune reactions that can become new chronic health problems for women.
Emotional Support is critical to your healing. Even if everything goes smoothly with your treatment a cancer diagnosis is stressful. Reach out to your support network to help you emotionally on a regular basis. A Therapist is a very good idea.
And use Duality to fill in the gaps!
References
- U.S. News & World Report, Reviews the side effects of anti-estrogen drugs and immunotherapies, explaining how these treatments impact hormone levels and immune responses.
- Cleveland Clinic, Provides an overview of immunotherapy side effects, detailing common reactions like fatigue, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal issues, as well as rare but serious autoimmune complications.
- Integrating Pulse, Discusses the mechanisms behind chemotherapy and immunotherapy side effects, including nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and immune-related adverse effects.
- American Cancer Society, Covers chemotherapy and radiation therapy side effects, explaining how they impact the body and strategies for managing symptoms.
- National Cancer Institute (NCI), Reviews long-term and short-term side effects of breast cancer treatments, including neuropathy, fatigue, and cognitive changes.