Cancer patients and survivors can be frustrated by the mental cloudiness they notice before, during, and after cancer treatment. This common cancer side effect is called Brain Fog or Chemo Brain. The term Chemo Brain can be misleading as chemotherapy is not the only cause of concentration and memory problems. This pamphlet explains what brain fog is, what causes it, the risk factors for brain fog, and what you can do to manage it. A list of resources for further information is included.
During your systemic therapy treatment, a rare complication may have occurred called extravasation. This is when a drug leaks out of the vein and under the skin. This pamphlet outlines what to do if this happens, including skin care, treatment, and other things to know.
Hair loss, known as alopecia (pronounced ‘al-o-peesha’), is a common side effect of cancer treatment. This pamphlet includes information on the amount of hair, why it is being lost, if it will grow back, coping mechanisms for hair loss, and questions to ask your health care team.
Platelets (PLT), thrombocytes, are blood cells that helps it to clot (stop bleeding). Not having enough platelets in your blood is called thrombocytopenia (throm·bo·cy·to·pe·nia). This pamphlets describes what causes low platelets, symptoms, and ways to prevent and manage it.
Low red blood cell count, called Anemia, can be caused by cancer or cancer treatment. This pamphlet lists the symptoms, treatments, coping mechanisms, and basic questions to ask your health care team.
A possible side effect of cancer and cancer treatment is nausea (the feeling of wanting to throw-up) and/or vomiting (throwing up). This pamphlet describes what to do if you have nausea or vomiting and how both can be managed.
Neutropenia (low white blood count) happens when you do not have enough neutrophils. This pamphlet lists the causes, signs and symptoms of neutropenia, and what to do if you do have a fever or other signs of infection.
This pamphlets describes the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) sometimes caused by cancer treatment, and outlines treatment and coping strategies.