Finding out you have cancer can make you feel powerless and scared. But you can fight back by learning about your disease and its treatment. This can make a difference in the way you feel. Be sure to talk openly and honestly with your Cancer Care Team. This will help you learn the facts you need to know. It will also help your doctors and nurses know how the cancer and its treatment are affecting you.

There have been many recent advances in the treatment of cancer. Some people can be treated with chemotherapy, or with drugs that target certain cells. Others can be treated with both methods at the same time. Many people get different treatments over the course of their care. Each person is unique.

Cancer treatments are designed to get rid of cancer. No matter what kind of treatment you get, there is a good chance you will have side effects. So take an active role now!

• Spot your side effects early and manage them properly To help, we have created a list of common side effects of cancer treatment. Keep this list where you can see it and spot any side effects you have. Spotting side effects early can help you avoid trouble down the road.

• Work closely with your Cancer Care Team The doctors and nurses on your team can tell you how your body may react and what you can expect from treatment. This can help you prevent or reduce some side effects and ensure early treatment of others. Your team can also teach you helpful ways to manage your side effects.

• Keep talking and listening Tell your Cancer Care Team exactly how you are doing. The more they know, the more they can help you. And YOU are a big part of the process.

• Record the details of your treatment Use the Cancer Care journal given to you or a calendar during your treatment. It’s a good way to record your progress and how you are feeling. It can also help you keep track of what your Cancer Care Team tells you.

Spot and ReportYour Side Effects Early

Keys to successful treatment

Be sure to spot and reportyour side effects early.

Call us if you have questionsor concerns.

Mon - Thurs 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.Friday 8:00 A.M. - 3 P.M.

The phone nurse for non-emergency calls can be reached at

337-289-________

Outside of business hours call

337-289-8400

In an emergency, call 911or seek proper medical care.

TAKE ACTION

This is not a complete list of side effects and symptoms. In an emergency, call 911 or seek proper medical care.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Fever,chills or aninfection

• Take your temperature every day• Notice any feelings of being ill. This includes a headache or feeling dizzyBe sure to call if you:• Have a fever of 100.4 F or higher, have shaking chills, night sweats, or other signs of an infection or the flu• Are acting or thinking differently, or become clumsy, or feel confused• Have a cough, wheezing, trouble breathing or shortness of breath• Have pain, burning or blood when you urinate, or urinate more or less often than normal• Have unusual vaginal or penile discharge

Diarrhea

• Look for bowel movements that are looser than normal for you• Notice if you start having daily bowel movements 2 to 3 times more often• Watch for changes in the color and firmness of your stool• Watch for increases in your ostomy outputBe sure to call if you:• Notice an increase in stomach cramping• Have diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours, causes severe cramping or pain or had blood in it.

Mouthsores

• Notice any redness, tenderness or swelling of your lips, gums or tongue• Look for changes in your saliva and watch for a feeling of dryness in your mouthBe sure to call if you:• Have discomfort with eating or drinking• Have open sores, blisters, cracking or bleeding on your lips, gums, mouth or throat

Upsetstomach orvomiting

• Know that your treatment may change your interest in food and odors may increase the feeling of upset stomach• Note the timing of any vomiting that occursBe sure to call if you:• Cannot eat, drink or keep food down for 24 hours• Vomit more than twice in one day

Tingling,numbnessor nervous

systemchanges

• Watch for changes in vision, hearing, touch or other sensesBe sure to call if:• Have numbness, tingling, weakness, loss of balance or are feeling clumsy• Have trouble picking up objects such as coins, buttoning your clothes or walking normally• Have trouble breathing cold air or touching cold items• Feel confused, dizzy, have headaches, ringing in your ears or changes in your hearing or vision

Hair, skinand nails

• Look for increased bruising or small red dots on your skin• Note any skin rashes, brittle nails, pale or red skin, itching or peeling skinBe sure to call if you:• Have hives, bruising or severe itching or rash• Notice redness, swelling or soreness on the spot where you receive your medicine• Have a bloody nose

Constipation

• Watch for bowel movements that are firmer or harder to pass than normal• Watch for bloating, feeling less hungry or extra stomach pains or crampsBe sure to call if you:• Need to use a laxative or stool softener to have a bowel movement and you did not need those before starting your treatment• Have not had a bowel movement in more than 2 days since you normally would have had one

Feelingtired

• Watch out for an increased need to rest, or a feeling of being tired even though you have had enough sleepBe sure to call if you:• Find it hard to function because you are tired

MoodBe sure to call if you:Feel so anxious or sad that it’s hard to get through the day

Other