Treating cancer involves not only getting rid of tumors, but also finding a way to manage the symptoms associated with healing. Many patients experience nausea, vomiting, pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, and fatigue. You can, and should, be an active participant in your symptom management. Tell your doctor when your cancer treatments are making you uncomfortable – it’s the only way they will know!

There are a number of ways your doctor and nurse can help you deal with pain. Alert someone if the pain is not getting better, not going away, you feel new pain, your medications are not working like they did previously, or the pain makes it difficult to eat and sleep. If this occurs, you may have developed a tolerance to your medications. This is normal, so do not be afraid to ask for more or different medications. The best way to manage the pain is continue taking pain medications until your doctor tells you to stop.

Nausea and vomiting can be another uncomfortable side effect of cancer care. There are four different classifications of cancer treatment related nausea – acute, delayed or late, anticipatory, and chronic. Acute nausea happens within the first 24 hours after receiving chemotherapy treatments. Delayed nausea occurs more than 24 hours after beginning treatment. Anticipatory nausea comes after the first three or four sessions of chemotherapy, when the sights, sounds and smells of the hospital make the patient feel ill before treatment begins. In this case, a patient will associate those sensory experiences with the treatment to come. Chronic nausea is the final type and occurs in patients with advanced stages of cancer. It remains unclear exactly why these patients experience nausea. While each form of nausea has different treatment options, the most common are anti-nausea drugs and good nutrition.

Managing nutrition is not just important for patients experiencing nausea. Poor eating habits can lead to two common problems – anorexia and cachexia. Anorexia, the loss of appetite or desire to eat, occurs in almost all patients. Occasionally, it will happen upon diagnosis, but is often seen later in treatment. Cachexia, or a wasting syndrome, causes weakness as well as a loss of fat, muscle and weight. It is most common in patients diagnosed with lung, pancreatic or upper gastrointestinal cancers; and less common in breast and lower gastrointestinal cancers. Good eating habits can help patients maintain a healthy weight and remain strong while recovering from surgery. In fact, some treatments are more effective when the patient is well nourished. Often better nutrition is linked to a better prognosis. Patients should consult with their doctors about the best eating guidelines to manage their symptoms.

There are a number of integrative therapies which can be used in conjunction with standard cancer treatments. These treatments have been found to work in many cancer clinics, but it should be stressed, the treatments are to be used with standard care. Massage therapy improves nutrition and circulation while promoting well being. Healing touch, or Reiki, restores the body’s energy field while promoting a sense of relaxation. Reflexology, or pressure on reflex areas of the foot, hand and ear, can support organ health and has been shown to decrease nausea. Meditation focuses concentration to calm and uplift the patient while reducing stress. It provides contact with deeper levels of awareness and leads to a calmer inner self. Yoga is another suggested treatment. It includes gentle exercises and breathing techniques to promote relaxation and healing.

By working closely with your doctor and trying integrative therapies, patients can manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.