Nausea, vomiting, and hair loss are some of the side effects that affect people undergoing breast cancer treatment. Between advances in chemotherapy processes and a few recommendations that patients can follow at home, the concern of doctors is to improve the quality of life of patients during treatment.
The treatment of breast cancer causes, in the vast majority of cases, hair loss. Because it is a combined chemotherapy, with different drugs, it becomes very difficult to prevent hair loss.
However, in some situations where chemotherapy is not the result of a combination of drugs, hair loss can be prevented with the so-called “ice helmet”.
This is a cold-induced vasoconstriction process – which is also used to lessen other side effects, such as numbness in the hands and feet. To be effective, cold must be applied before treatments.
Vomiting and nausea can be other consequences of the drugs. Although medications can prevent most cases of nausea, patients should avoid eating certain foods.
Acupuncture, exercise, and other complementary therapies can help control nausea, decrease pain, and increase well-being. Less toxic and more personalized treatments are part of the path forged by oncology globally.
