Everyone’s breast cancer experience is unique and treatment side effects can vary from patient-to-patient. While some may only experience a few side effects, others may find themselves coping with long-term implications well after treatment is finished.
The good news is that research into treating side effects is advancing rapidly and there’s more knowledge, resources, and information than ever to help patients navigate the often-taxing journey.
Medical oncologist, Chair of the Scientific Advisory and Medical Advisor at Breast Cancer Trials Dr Nicolas Zdenkowski says that current clinical trials are enabling patients themselves to contribute significantly to the advancement of new research and breast cancer treatment.
He says his patients are often asking to participate in clinical trials because of the opportunities to access new or proven treatments as well as advance research for the greater good.
Pros and cons of treatment
Considering the pros and cons of whether to undergo treatment for breast cancer can be a weighty decision for patients.
Director of Research at Breast Cancer Trials, Professor Bruce Mann, says patients should always consult with their medical team beforehand.
“The role of the medical team is to help the person make the informed decision,” he says, noting that the patient’s decision will be affected by their personal life situation and treatment desires.
“We will judge what is likely to happen with no additional treatment and what’s the risk of recurrence and how that can be modified with various treatments.”
Treatment side effects
Once a patient decides to undergo treatment, there are always risks of side effects. And even though these effects vary, Dr. Zdenkowski says some common ones include nausea, aches, pains, fatigue, sleep disturbance, impact on the nerves that affect the hands and nails as well as hormone blocking that may cause some cognitive changes.
Although it might seem counterintuitive, he recommends patients engage in exercise to combat the fatigue that comes from treatment.
“The goal is for at least half an hour per day,” says Dr. Zdenkowski. “So, 30 minutes per day, five days per week of moderate intensity exercise is what the guidelines suggest to actually help prevent breast cancer.”
“Minimising alcohol intake also reduces the risk of developing breast cancer,” he adds.
For help managing any joint aches or pains after treatment, Breast Oncology Nurse Practitioner Jenny Gilchrist recommends exercise as well, but has also seen patients find joint supplements helpful such as glucosamine, turmeric, and curcumin– all things that can be bought in supermarkets.
She says other things to try include anti-inflammatories for the short-term and acupuncture.
Loss of libido is another common symptom of breast cancer treatment which Gilchrist says is linked to physical changes, but also psychological challenges such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and body image issues. Medications administered to patients can likewise contribute.
“The most common thing that we tell people to do is speak to a clinical psychologist, or a sexologist or a sex therapist, go with your partner, work through those sorts of things,” says Gilchrist.
And for those that still struggle to get their libido back, she wants patients to remember there are always other ways to be intimate too.
Meanwhile, an often-forgotten side effect of breast cancer treatment can be damage to dental health.
Dr. Zdenkowski says “the teeth can be affected by chemo and the gums affiliated with dry mouth or taste changes.”
“And then in the menopausal symptoms that we see from estrogen deprivation that also extends to the teeth and gums– so things like dental caries, loosening of the teeth and more sensitivity.”
Because of this, Dr. Zdenkowski says it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene during treatment and maintain dialogue with your dentist.
Detecting cancer earlier to reduce treatment side effects
There’s hope in the medical community that the earlier breast cancer is detected, the less treatment and subsequent side effects a patient will have to go through.
Professor Mann wants to see research move towards risk-based screening and see Australia’s national screening program evolve with the updated research.
He says the current approach in Australia is that “all women 50 to 75 are invited to have a screening mammogram every two years.”
“With breast cancer, we know the population is currently viewed as a single female over 50 without any risk adjustment.”
But as research into the disease has grown, Professor Mann says it’s now possible to identify women at increased or decreased risk of cancer much earlier.
To view a recording of a Q&A on the topic of the side effects of treatment, moderated by Author and Journalist Annabel Crabb, visit the Breast Cancer Trials website.