Physical Effects of Cancer
Read how the cancer experience may affect your body and physical well-being. These topics include steps you can take, resources that are available to help you and detailed information about:
Female Infertility
Some female cancer survivors find that they are not able to have children due to the effects of cancer treatment. By identifying your risk for infertility, you can take steps before treatment to preserve your fertility. For survivors who have already completed treatment, there are other options for having children.
Male Infertility
Some male cancer survivors find that they are not able to have children due to the effects of cancer treatment. By identifying your risk for infertility, you can take steps before treatment to preserve your fertility. For survivors who have already completed treatment, there are other options for having children.
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Late and Long-Term Effects
Aftereffects of Cancer Treatment
Aftereffects are physical, emotional and practical changes that happen after cancer treatment has been completed. Knowing what some of the common aftereffects are and why they happen can help you prepare for life after treatment.
Chronic Pain
Survivors sometimes experience ongoing pain after cancer treatment. Knowing what the causes are and being able to describe your symptoms to your health care team can help you manage chronic pain.
Cognitive Changes
Cognitive changes are problems with thinking, memory and behavior. Some survivors may experience cognitive changes due to their cancers or cancer treatments. Knowing what is causing these problems can help you get the appropriate treatment.
Fatigue
Sometimes survivors may feel extremely tired or feel like they do not have enough energy to carry out their daily activities. Knowing the causes of fatigue can help you manage it.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is a condition that some survivors may experience after treatment. Lymphedema causes swelling in the arms and legs. Knowing the causes of lymphedema can help you manage your symptoms.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a condition that causes tingling or numbness in certain areas of the body, especially the hands and feet. Knowing what some of the causes are and being able to describe your symptoms to your health care team can help you manage neuropathy.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to weaken and become very fragile. Knowing what some of the symptoms are can help you manage osteoporosis and prevent further bone loss.
Ostomies
Some survivors are living with an ostomy after cancer treatment. An ostomy is a surgical opening from an organ inside the body to the outside of the body. This allows waste products to empty into a pouch outside the body. Knowing how to manage daily life with an ostomy can help you live your life with confidence.
Second Cancers
A second cancer is a different type of cancer from your original cancer diagnosis. Knowing some of the causes of second cancers can help you reduce your risk of getting a second cancer.
Urinary Incontinence
Some survivors may experience the uncontrollable loss of urine from the bladder. By identifying the causes of urinary incontinence, you can take steps to manage it and reduce its effect on your daily activities.
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Quality of Life
Healthy Behaviors
Treatment for cancer can be very hard on your body. Good nutrition, exercise and other healthy behaviors can help your body heal from the physical harm cancer and its treatment may have caused.
Physical Rehabilitation
Treatment for cancer can be very hard on your body. Physical rehabilitation can help your body recover from cancer, treatment and other physical changes you may experience.
Quality of Life and Palliative Care
Life during and after cancer-fighting treatment may require ongoing care and attention to help you feel your best in every area of your life. In the health care community, care focused on your comfort and quality of life is known as palliative care and focuses on your total well-being.
What Hospice Care Means for Caregivers
Hospice care is patient- and family-centered care that focuses on relieving symptoms and increasing comfort and quality of life. The goal of hospice is to provide quality and compassionate care for those facing end of life.
What Hospice Care Means for Survivors
Hospice care is patient- and family-centered care that focuses on relieving symptoms and increasing comfort and quality of life. The goal of hospice is to provide quality and compassionate care for those facing end of life.
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Sexual Dysfunction
Female Sexual Dysfunction
Survivors sometimes experience sexual dysfunction after cancer treatment. Knowing what some of the causes are and being able to describe your symptoms to your health care team can help you manage sexual dysfunction.
Male Sexual Dysfunction
Survivors sometimes experience sexual dysfunction after cancer treatment. Knowing what some of the causes are and being able to describe your symptoms to your health care team can help you manage sexual dysfunction.
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You can view the Glossary should you need definitions of terms commonly used in the topics.
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