Hot weather and cancer: 5 tips for coping in a heatwave

Staying safe in hot weather is important for everyone, but especially for people living with cancer. High temperatures can affect you differently if you are living with cancer. The side effects of treatment might make it difficult for you to stay hydrated and regulate your body temperature. 

In this blog we look at five top tips to help you cope during the warmer days ahead.

Most houses in the UK do not have air conditioning. There are still ways you can help to keep the temperature down at home.

It can help to keep your windows and blinds closed during the day. You can then open them in the evening once the outside temperature feels cooler than the inside temperature to let in the colder air.

Using a fan will not reduce the air temperature but it can help you feel cooler if the temperature is less than 35C. You should not aim the fan directly at yourself.

Public spaces, such as shopping centres and libraries, often stay cooler than our homes, and some even have air conditioning. You can make use of these spaces to stay cool. 

The Government website has more tips on preparing your home for hot weather.

The heat can intensify some common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment so it is important to be aware of this. You may feel more tired than usual, and be more likely to feel other effects of the heat such as dizziness and dehydration.

Try to adjust your routine to help you keep cool. You may need more rest than usual. Plan essential activities and chores for cooler parts of the day if you can. Try to stay in the shade during the hottest parts of the day. Usually this is between 11am and 3pm. You can also try taking cool, but not cold, showers.

Cancer and cancer treatment can make you become dehydrated more quickly. During hotter weather you may need to drink more than you usually do to stay hydrated. You may also find that you do not feel like eating as much.

 

Try to eat and drink cold things and avoid anything which might increase dehydration, like caffeine or alcohol. You might want to try to eat lighter, more regular meals to make sure your body is getting the nutrition it needs.

 

We have more information on healthy eating and cancer, and how cancer can affect eating.

Some cancer treatment can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. You might get sun burnt more easily than you did before, or be at a higher risk of developing skin cancer. 

 

You can protect your skin by staying in the shade, covering up, and using high factor sun cream. 

We have more information on sun safety and cancer treatment.

If you feel unwell during the heatwave it is important to speak to a doctor. This is because people who have cancer are more at risk of developing heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  The NHS website has more information about heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 

If you or someone else has symptoms or you need advice you can call NHS 111 or get help from NHS 111 online.

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan's Digital Content Editor team.

Learn more about our Digital Content Editors and how we produce our cancer information.