If it is permanent you will be unable to have children after the treatment. You may get 'hot flushes', a dry vagina or symptoms of menopause. Your doctor can give you medication to treat symptoms you may experience. Sometimes chemotherapy can cause you to lose your appetite and lose weight. Other women gain weight during chemotherapy.
Some women feel anxious, distressed and teary before, during and after treatment.
This is normal. Chapter 8 provides more information about how you might feel and where to get help. Some less common side effects of chemotherapy are diarrhoea, mouth sores, and other infections. Action Ask your medical oncologist what side effects you might expect and how to manage them. Some breast cancers need the hormone oestrogen to grow.