Most people experience side effects during treatment, and these gradually resolve after a few weeks or months. For some, these side effects do not disappear and these are called late effects.
Late effects can be minor, but some can be more difficult to live with. Depending on what type of treatment you have received, possible late and long-term effects of treatment can include:
• Tiredness
• Nerve damage
• Lymphoedema (swelling that usually affects an arm or a leg)
• Changes in bowel or bladder function
• Changes in sexual function.
People cope with side effects in different ways. Things that people with cancer say have helped them include:
• Changing their work-life balance
• Focusing on the positive things in their lives
• Improving their diet
• Doing more physical activity
• Using complementary therapies.
Macmillan Cancer Support has developed a range of leaflets on how to manage the late effects following different types of treatment. These can be obtained from the Macmillan website here.
