Managing Cancer Symptoms

It is common for patients and families coping with cancer to feel anxious. This anxiety may come and go. When anxiety lasts longer, it is a good idea to seek help to manage it. Speak with your health-care team to connect with one of our experts in emotional care.

You can also find more information about anxiety before, during or after cancer treatment on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Anxiety

It is common for patients with cancer to feel unable to eat. There are various possible causes for losing your appetite, such as pain, fatigue, side-effects of cancer treatments or depression.

In order to make sure you have the energy needed for treatment, it is important to address problems with your appetite. Your care team includes a dietitian who can help you navigate issues related to eating. The dietitian can also work with you to create an eating plan that works for you. 

You can find more information about cancer-related appetite loss on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Appetite loss

Constipation means you have fewer bowel movements and your stool is more difficult to pass. This is quite common in cancer. Opioid pain medicines and many types of chemotherapy can cause constipation. Other causes for constipation that are common in patients with cancer are stress, anxiety and depression, moving less, not drinking enough liquids and not eating enough fibre. 

Our Cancer care team can help you manage this symptom. 

You can also find more information about cancer-related constipation on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Constipation

It is normal to feel many different emotions, including feeling sad, when you are living with cancer. If sadness lasts for weeks or months, or if it stops you from enjoying your usual activities, it is a good idea to reach out for help.

Depression affects your quality of life, and it can make it harder to cope with your cancer symptoms and treatment.

You can also find more information for about depression before, during or after cancer treatment on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Depression

When you have diarrhea, you have loose, frequent bowel movements, often with bloating and stomach cramps. Diarrhea is a somewhat common side effect for patients undergoing cancer treatment. It can be caused by medication, natural health products, infections or the type of food you are eating. 

There are different treatments for diarrhea. Our Cancer care team can help you manage this symptom.

You can find more information about cancer-related diarrhea on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Diarrhea

Fatigue is the most common symptom experienced by patients with cancer.

Cancer-related fatigue is not the same as regular tiredness. It does not go away after resting, and it may get worse or better each day for no obvious reason. Fatigue can be caused by a combination of the cancer itself, side effects of medication, emotional distress, lack of exercise, poor eating, nausea and vomiting, pain, anemia and other reasons.

For many people, fatigue is one of the most difficult parts of their experience with cancer. Speak to your health care team to learn more about what you can do when you are struggling with fatigue. 

You can find more information about cancer-related fatigue on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Fatigue

Some patients experience mouth sores during cancer treatment. In many cases, this is caused by medication. Mouth sores can make it difficult to eat properly. 

Mouth sores can improve with proper care. Our Cancer care team can help you access resources to manage this symptom.

You can find more information about cancer-related mouth problems on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Mouth sores

Nausea and vomiting can be side effects of cancer treatment. Feeling nauseous can have a negative effect on your quality of life.

If you are experiencing nausea, speak to our Cancer care team. We can help you manage this symptom.

You can find more information about cancer-related nausea and vomiting on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Nausea

Pain is a somewhat common symptom with cancer. The pain of cancer can be caused by the tumour itself or by the effects of the cancer on other parts of your body. Some tests, procedures or medication can cause also pain.

Each person feels cancer pain differently. Only you know how your pain feels and the effect it has on you. 

If you are feeling pain, reach out to our Cancer care team. We can help you explore options for pain relief. Pain relief can help you eat and sleep better and improve your quality of life. 

You can find more information about cancer-related pain on Cancer Care Ontario. While it is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Pain

Feeling short of breath is a common experience with cancer. Having trouble breathing can be frightening and uncomfortable.

Sometimes it is caused by a condition that will improve with treatment, such as a low blood count or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Anxiety about your cancer can also make you feel short of breath.

It is important to talk to your health-care provider if you are having any breathing problems. Our Cancer care team can provide support and guide you toward resources that can help you. 

You can find more information about cancer-related shortness of breath on Cancer Care Ontario. While this is a good way to learn more, it does not replace advice from your health-care team.

CCO Guidelines and Advice | Shortness of breath