Dealing with common cancer symptoms

Pain Back to top

Although you may be used to living with soreness or pains from other conditions, such as arthritis, you do not have to live with the pain of cancer| . Tell your doctors or nurses about any pain, so that they can give you appropriate medicines to control it. See the common cancer myths|  section for more information on pain control.

When painkillers such as morphine are given for pain they do not cause addiction. It is important to take painkillers regularly as your doctors prescribe so that the pain is kept under control continuously.

You can also see our section on controlling cancer pain| for more details.

Sickness Back to top

If you feel sick| ( nausea ), or have trouble keeping food down, your doctor can prescribe an anti-sickness drug to help. There are many different types available and some of them can be combined if one is not effective on its own. Anti-sickness medicines should be taken regularly to prevent the nausea returning. Our section on controlling nausea and vomiting| has detailed information on ways of controlling this symptom.

Breathlessness Back to top

Some types of cancer can cause breathlessness| . Sometimes breathlessness can occur due to cancer treatment. If you already had chest problems before the cancer; for example if you smoke, then this often makes breathlessness more of a problem. There are many ways of dealing with breathlessness.

Sometimes oxygen treatment makes breathing easier, and, if necessary, your doctor can arrange for you to have oxygen to use at home. We have further information about reducing breathlessness| .

Eating problems Back to top

Loss of appetite, or difficulty with eating, may be due to the cancer itself, or can be a side effect of treatment. Small, frequent, simple meals, including your favourite foods, are likely to be most tempting. See our section on eating well| , which provides advice on coping with eating problems.

Tiredness (fatigue) Back to top

Fatigue| (feeling exhausted all or most of the time) is a common and difficult problem for people living with cancer. It may be due to the cancer or occur as a result of coping with other symptoms. If you feel tired it is important to pace yourself and to save your energy for the things that you enjoy. If people offer to help you, let them deal with tiring tasks. Your doctors may be able to help treat your fatigue, and there are ways of helping yourself cope with tiredness.

See our section on fatigue| for more information.