Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer. During chemotherapy, patients are given drugs that kill cancerous cells and reverse the growth rate of tumors. The treatment can affect some patients' bodies, including the cells in their skin, mouth, stomach and intestines, more than others.
Nausea and Vomiting
Chemotherapy can cause some people to experience nausea and vomiting, but there are drugs available to deal with these and other side effects. Younger women experience nausea more often than others. For many people, the worst part of chemotherapy can be the anxiety experienced before treatment begins.
Hair Loss
Chemotherapy does not always cause hair loss in patients. Sometimes drugs cause hair to thin or fall out, but many individuals experience no hair loss.
Fatigue
Many people who go through chemotherapy experience a loss of energy, but there are treatments available that help increase patients' red blood cell counts. These treatments also help increase the amount of oxygen in the body.
Fertility
People on chemotherapy are not infertile during treatment. Women can become pregnant, but chemotherapy can be dangerous to a fetus. Men or women should continue using birth control during chemotherapy, but they should consult their doctor about what methods to use.
Immunity
The immunity, or the ability to fight infection, of people undergoing chemotherapy is not greatly reduced for long periods of time. Chemotherapy patients are not at a greater risk for contracting viral infections.
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