What to expect
When you're diagnosed with cancer one of the scariest things, is the unknown.
- How will I feel?
- Am I going to be in pain?
- Will I be sick all the time?
These are just some of the questions that might be going through your mind
Cancer affects everyone in a different way, no one's cancer experience is the same. Your journey will depend on the type of cancer you have, the treatment you are having and how your body reacts.
Possible side effects
Hair loss
Chemotherapy is the main cause of hair loss in teenagers with cancerInfection
Chemotherapy can have a big effect on your immune system and might reduce your body’s defense against infectionFeeling sick
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can both make you feel sick because they can affect the part of the brain that ‘tells’ you that you want to be sickMouth, teeth and eating problems
Some chemo drugs can cause a sore mouth and throat. This is because chemo affects rapidly dividing cells (like cancer cells) and the cells in your mouth and gut are the kind which divide really quicklyTiredness
Sometimes cancer or its treatment can make you feel really tired. Your energy levels can be low and simple everyday things can be harder to doWeight changes
Many people who have chemotherapy lose weight. This is because the side effects of chemo like losing your appetite, having a sore mouth and feeling sick can put you off eating and so your weight starts to dropSkin
During radiotherapy the skin in the area where you’re being treated can become, flaky, itchy, sore
