Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat breast cancer. While effective at destroying cancer cells, it also destroys healthy cells in the process, resulting in unwanted side effects. According the medical experts at Cancer Help UK, a doctor cannot tell you what side effects you may suffer from before your treatment begins. They will vary with each medication and its dose, and will not affect every person the same. Though there are common side effects associated with breast cancer chemotherapy, knowing what the specific side effects are for each drug may help you prepare better for what lies ahead.
Cyclophosphamide
According to the experts at Cancer Help UK, the most common side effects of this chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of breast cancer include low blood cell counts which increases your risk of developing a risk of infection or for bruising easily, nausea and vomiting, hair loss and loss of appetite.
Methotrexate
This medication may result in changes in taste, which can ultimately lead to poor nutrition and anorexia, sores in your mouth, hair loss, diarrhea, your skin becoming more sensitive to sunlight and low blood counts, which increases your risk of infections and bleeding.
Fluorouracil
This medication is also commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer and can cause side effects which include nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, diarrhea, an increased sensitivity to the sunlight and low blood counts. If suffering from reduced blood counts, take extra precaution when associating with people who have infections or colds.
Epirubicin
When your breast cancer is being treated with this drug, you may experience side effects, such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting, changes in your skin like discoloration or thinning which can result in easy tearing, mouth sores and low blood counts.
Mitoxantrone and Mitomycin C
Mitoxantrone can cause hair loss, nausea and vomiting. Total hair loss is unlikely, however you may notice your hair becoming thinner. In addition, the drug itself is blue which may result in green urine for 24 hours after it has been administered; this is normal. Mitomycin C may cause low blood counts, nausea and vomiting.
Taxotere
Taxotere, also known as docetaxel, may cause low blood counts, complete hair loss over your entire body, swelling of your hands and feet and changes to your skin and nails.
