Side effects of cancer drugs

Cancer drugs have side effects and these can vary from person to person. But there are things that you can do to help you cope.

About side effects

The side effects you might have vary from person to person. It also depends on the cancer drugs you are having.

Your blood, bone marrow and cancer drugs

Cancer drugs can cause bruising and bleeding, an increased risk of infection and breathlessness. But there are treatments that can help.

Sickness (nausea) and cancer drugs

Some cancer drugs may cause you to feel or be sick. But there are treatments that can help and ways you can support yourself.

Hair loss, hair thinning and cancer drugs

Cancer drugs can cause hair loss or hair thinning. But there are things you can do to help you cope.

Fatigue and cancer drugs

Some cancer drugs can cause tiredness (fatigue). But there are things you can do and people that can help.

Appetite, taste changes and cancer drugs

Cancer drugs can cause loss of appetite or taste changes. But there are things that you can do to help you cope.

Diarrhoea, constipation and cancer drugs

Diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion and heartburn can all be side effects of taking cancer drugs. But there are things you can do to help you cope.

Your mouth and cancer drugs

Some cancer drugs can cause a sore or dry mouth. But some treatments can help, and there are things you can do to cope.

Your skin, nails and cancer drugs

Cancer drugs can change your skin and nails. But there are treatments that can help and things you can do to cope.

Sex, fertility and cancer drugs

Cancer drugs can cause changes to your sex life and fertility. But there might be ways to deal with some of the side effects.

Your kidneys, liver, heart and lungs and cancer drugs

Some cancer drugs can change the way your kidneys, liver, heart or lungs work. But your doctor will do regular tests to check how well they work.

Nerve changes and cancer drugs

Some cancer drugs can affect the way your nerves work. The changes can cause different symptoms depending on the nerves that are affected.

Your eyes and cancer drugs

Some cancer drugs can cause changes to your eyes and your eyesight. But there are treatments that can help and things you can do to cope.

Sex hormone symptoms and cancer

Cancer and its treatment can affect sex hormones. Find out about treating and coping with the symptoms that sex hormone changes can cause.

Cognitive changes (chemo brain)

Cognitive changes include problems with memory, concentration and how a person can think. It is also known as chemo brain or chemo fog.

Last reviewed: 
19 May 2023
Next review due: 
19 May 2026