Throughout treatment, it is important to communicate with your care team about how you are feeling and how your body is reacting to chemotherapy, targeted therapy or radiation therapy, and/or how it’s recovering from surgery. To help you prepare for treatment, it is important to know ahead of time what side effects you may experience, so you can be proactive in managing them. Several medications may help alleviate nausea and vomiting, for example, and a nutritionist may recommend a personalized diet that provides sufficient nutrients from foods you can tolerate and enjoy. For chemotherapy or radiation patients experiencing diarrhea or constipation, a nutritionist can help you adjust your diet appropriately.
Supportive care such as talk therapy, meditation, acupuncture, chiropractic care, pain management and spiritual support may also help you manage physical and psychological issues, such as stress and insomnia.