If your doctor recently recommended you have chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, you might feel nervous, overwhelmed, scared, or even angry. Those reactions are completely normal. 

“It’s okay to be scared,” says Andrea Kassem, RN. Kassem is a lead oncology nurse navigator with Baptist Health System in San Antonio. It can help to write down your anxieties and share them with someone close to you.  

But after you’ve acknowledged those fears, it’s important to focus on what you can do to take back control of your body, says Kassem. Remember: You are an active participant in your treatment plan. Understanding what you can do to improve your health journey can help ease your side effects and improve your quality of life during treatment. 

Here, Kassem offers 8 tips for getting through chemotherapy. It won’t be smooth sailing, but her advice can help smooth out the bumps along the way. 

(If you’re struggling to manage the changes and emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis, don’t go it alone. You have access to mental health support through Wellframe, your digital health management tool. This free app comes with your health plan. Log in or download it today to learn more.) 

1. Know what to expect. 

Each chemotherapy drug comes with its own list of common and rare side effects. Some of the more common chemo side effects include:  

• Taste bud changes. 
• Nausea. 
• Loss of appetite. 
• Hair loss. 
• Diarrhea. 
• Mental fog. 
• Nail changes. 
• Fatigue.  

Your doctor or nurse can tell you about how long the side effects of each infusion will typically last. They can tell you when you can expect to feel your worst, and when you can expect to feel better. 
 
Before your first infusion, you’ll get paperwork explaining each chemo agent you will receive. You’ll also get information about any other infused or systemic therapies, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Read the paperwork carefully and talk to your oncologist or nurse if you have any questions. 

2. Don’t fret too much about vomiting. 

The idea that you’ll be vomiting constantly during chemotherapy is a myth, says Kassem. Most doctors supply medications to prevent nausea, vomiting, and other allergic reactions. “We’ve come a long way in the journey of breast cancer,” says Kassem. “There are so many medications that can alleviate side effects even before they start.” 

3. Reframe your mindset. 

Kassem coaches breast cancer patients to focus on the good that the chemotherapy is doing to help eliminate cancer from their body. She steers them away from the negative side effects it may create. “Try to look at it differently,” she stresses. “This is not a poison. This is a medicine that’s going to help you live a long, happy, healthy life.” 

4. Pack a chemo care bag. 

From start to finish, a chemo infusion can last several hours. Bring along some key items from home to make you more comfortable, including: 

• Socks and slippers. Even during the summer, it can get cold in an infusion room. Chemo can also lower your white blood cell count, making you feel colder. 
• A hat or other head cover. Your head can get cold quickly as well, especially if you’ve started to lose your hair. 
• Lemon drops, mints, or hard candy. Sucking on candy helps mask the taste of the saline solution used to flush your port or IV before and after an infusion. Chemo can also make your mouth dry. 
• Water bottle. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout your treatment. As your taste buds change, you might find that plain water isn’t appealing. Adding sliced lemon, cucumber, or watermelon to ice water can make it more refreshing and enjoyable. 
• Hand cream and lip balm. Chemo can dry out your skin and chap your lips. 
• Cozy blanket. Medications given before chemo to prevent nausea or an allergic reaction can make you sleepy. Infusion centers have warm blankets, but your own may provide a bit of emotional support too. 

5. Dress for infusion. 

Wear what makes you feel comfortable. You’ll be sitting, and possibly sleeping, for several hours, so keep that in mind when getting dressed. Depending on where your port or IV is located, you’ll want to dress so that it’s easy for the nurse to find. For ports, opt for low V-neck T-shirts or sweaters. For arm IVs, wear tops with loose or short sleeves. If you’re unsure where the port will be located, ask your doctor or nurse. 

6. Reach out to support services. 

Cancer care centers often have several specialists who can address various side effects of treatment. For instance, a nutritionist can suggest different foods to deal with changing taste preferences. A psycho-oncologist or social worker can help you manage symptoms of depression. And a nurse navigator can help ease any gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea or constipation. 

Suggested CTA: Get help navigating your cancer treatment from Wellframe, your digital health management app. Log in or download the Wellframe app today to connect with your care team and learn more about the cancer support program, which is part of your health plan. 

7. Lean on your care team. 

No matter what the side effect, your cancer care team is there to help you 24/7. If you’re feeling miserable at home due to the treatment, a nurse navigator or your oncologist can provide recommendations for over-the-counter treatments over the phone. Or they can call in a prescription to your pharmacy. 

“If we can nip a symptom sooner versus later, we can manage it better,” says Kassem. “If you go through your first chemo cycle and get certain side effects, tell that to your physician. We’ve got a lot of pre-medications we can tweak to make the next cycle better.” 

If you have a fever that spikes to 100.5 degrees, call your cancer care team right away. The same goes if you have any of the unusual or rare side effects listed in the paperwork. Your care team can let you know about next steps. 

8. Focus on fitness. 

Chemo can make you feel tired and fatigued. If you need to nap, listen to your body. But don’t overlook the role that regular fitness can play in your recovery. Walking just 30 minutes a day can give you more energy and help with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems, says Kassem. Research also shows that gentle exercise like walking can lower the chances of breast cancer recurrence. 

“I really advocate for patients to be as healthy as possible,” says Kassem. “The better they eat and the more they move, the better they’re going to feel throughout treatment.” 

Above all, communication is key when it comes to managing chemo and other treatment side effects, says Kassem. “It’s not something you’re supposed to be miserable throughout. We want you to be able to live with as much normalcy and fulfill life goals.”