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Cancer Explained

Managing Side Effects

Learn about common side effects of cancer treatment and the practical ways they are eased — from fatigue and nausea to pain and skin changes.

10 stepsAbout 52 min total

This learning path is educational only. It is not a treatment plan. Your healthcare team can help you understand what applies to your situation.

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  1. Read6 min

    Side effects overview

    Why side effects happen and how care helps.

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  2. Read5 min

    Fatigue

    The most common side effect, and ways to cope.

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  3. Read5 min

    Nausea and vomiting

    How nausea is prevented and treated.

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  4. Read6 min

    Cancer pain

    How pain is understood and managed.

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  5. Read4 min

    Hair loss

    What to expect and gentle ways to cope.

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  6. Read5 min

    Peripheral neuropathy

    Numbness and tingling, and how it is managed.

    Open
  7. Read5 min

    Chemo brain

    Memory and focus changes during treatment.

    Open
  8. Read5 min

    Infection and neutropenia

    Staying safe when blood counts are low.

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  9. Tool5 min

    Questions to ask your team

    Bring your side-effect questions to your visit.

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  10. Read6 min

    Living well: nutrition

    Eating well during and after treatment.

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Helpful words to know

Plain-language definitions in our glossary.

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NCI: Side Effects of Cancer Treatment (opens in a new tab)

Read the source material at the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov).

Visit cancer.gov