How Do I Manage Lung Cancer Side Effects?

Learn about side effects from lung cancer treatment and strategies for coping.

Key Points

  • Side effects from treatment are very common.
  • There are things you can do to ease these side effects.
  • Talking to your doctor as soon as you have significant or unexpected side effects is the best way to safely manage your side effects.
  • Ask your doctor to refer you to a palliative care specialist. This is a type of doctor that specializes in side effect management.

Track your side effects using the Medication Tracker or the Treatment Organizer.

Below are some common side effects you might experience and strategies for coping.

  • Fatigue is the lingering feeling of tiredness

Strategies for Coping

  • Get plenty of rest with short naps
  • Engage in light to moderate physical activity
  • Ask others to help with tasks
  • Ensure good nutrition
  • Shortness of breath may be an emergency. Call your doctor right away if you have tightness in your chest, pain, fever or trouble breathing.
  • Shortness of breath can be caused by the cancer, infection or treatment.

Strategies for Coping

  • Call your doctor
  • Follow instructions for taking your medication
  • Practice your relaxation exercises
  • Practice breathing techniques
  • Skin reactions might include rash, dryness, scaling, pain, redness and peeling.

Strategies for Coping

  • Use gentle skincare products that contain lanolin or aloe
  • Do not use any skin products immediately before radiation treatment
  • Protect yourself from the sun
  • Call your doctor if you have a rash or anything else that concerns you
  • Throat and mouth problems may include difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and mouth sores.

Strategies for Coping

  • Eat soft, moist foods
  • Avoid spicy, greasy and sharp foods
  • Suck on hard candy or popsicles
  • Ask your doctor about sucking on ice chips before and after chemotherapy
  • Gargle with one teaspoon of table salt or baking soda dissolved in one cup of warm water to clean your mouth
  • Cancer treatment can make you more prone to infections and bleeding.
  • Call your doctor immediately if you suspect an infection or you can't stop bleeding.

Strategies for Coping

  • Wash your hands well
  • Avoid crowds or people that are sick
  • Keep your mouth very clean (gargle with baking soda and warm water)
  • Avoid flowers and plants (because they may carry mold) or handling animal waste (such as cleaning litter boxes)
  • Use a soft toothbrush
  • Use an electric shaver instead of a razor

Strategies for Coping

  • For loss of appetite:
    • Eat several small meals throughout the day if you aren’t hungry for big meals
    • Add olive oil, milk or yogurt to increase calories and protein in a meal
    • Take a walk before you eat
  • For nausea or vomiting:
    • Utilize prescription medication to ease nausea
    • Eat bland foods
    • Drink peppermint tea, ginger tea or ginger ale
  • For diarrhea:
    • Avoid high fiber foods that are hard to digest (such as beans or raw vegetables)
    • Eat bland foods
    • Eat small meals, and drink plenty of water between meals
  • For constipation:
    • Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids
    • Eat high-fiber foods
    • Exercise
  • Hair loss is common after radiation and chemotherapy.

Strategies for Coping

  • Use mild shampoos, soft hairbrushes and low heat on your hair
  • Buy a wig (sometimes called a scalp prosthesis and covered under some insurance policies)
  • Sometimes cutting your hair short or buzzing it off is easier to deal with than watching your hair fall out
  • Wear a hat or scarf
  • Some chemotherapy drugs can cause pain, tingling, burning, weakness or numbness in the hands and feet (called peripheral neuropathy).
  • Some people experience what many patients call “chemobrain” which includes forgetfulness, lack of concentration, difficulty finding the right word and difficulty multitasking.

Strategies for Coping

  • Be careful when grabbing sharp or hot objects
  • Use handrails
  • Wear shoes with rubber soles and remove throw rugs to prevent falls
  • Get a gentle massage
  • Take notes during appointments (or have a support person with you)
  • Do brain puzzles
  • Make lists

Signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression may include: 

  • Ongoing sad mood for most of the day
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the time
  • Uncontrolled worry
  • Trouble solving problems and focusing thoughts
  • Irritability (grouchy or short-tempered)

Strategies for Coping

  • Call your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of suicide
  • Try exercising
  • Speak with a mental health professional such as a social worker or psychologist. Some specialize in treating people with cancer.
  • Spend time with family and friends
  • Try deep breathing and relaxation exercises
  • Use prayer or other types of spiritual support if it helps

Page last updated: October 1, 2024

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