Surgery always comes with risks, such as reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, clots, or infections. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment often have side effects, including hair loss at the site of radiation, sunburn-like skin changes and fatigue. The side effects of targeted drugs and immunotherapy depend on the drugs used. With immunotherapy, fever, rashes, and nausea may occur, but cancer care teams can treat these side effects, and they generally go away when treatment stops. Some targeted drugs result in hypertension or low blood counts.
Talk to your oncologist, and they will advise you on strategies for managing side effects—early intervention is optimal for your comfort and to prevent interruptions to your treatment. For example, with hair loss, you should switch to a neutral pH shampoo, or you could get a prescription for a wig. Skin reactions may mean getting used to cooler showers and avoiding harsh detergents or fragranced cosmetics, for starters.

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