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When to Call Your Doctor During Cancer Treatment: Warning Signs to Know
By Raveena M Prakash
Cancer treatment is challenging and often leads to an unpredictable journey of healing. Whether you are newly diagnosed with cancer or undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or immunotherapy, each treatment comes with a set of potential side effects. It’s important to know the warning signs of cancer and when to call your doctor for guidance to avoid any further complications to your health. Early medical intervention can prevent complications and ensure your treatment plan is as effective as possible.
In this blog, we’ll discover more about the key warning signs of cancer, which every patient should never ignore during the treatment, and when to see a doctor to avoid any future complications.
Key warning signs you should not ignore during treatments?
There are some key warning signs you should never ignore during your cancer treatments; if you witness these signs and symptoms for more than two to 3 days, then not getting better, then you need to take prompt action and consult a healthcare provider immediately.
These may include:
Fever, chills and night sweats
Cancer patients are often seen with a mild fever, and if you are undergoing any treatments, especially chemotherapy, then you should never ignore a fever accompanied by chills and night sweats. If any patients are experiencing fever with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, along with chills, they need immediate medical intervention. These types of fever, chills and night sweats could be a sign of infection.
Patients undergoing several treatments can weaken the immune system, which further makes the patients vulnerable to getting more infections. If these signs are left untreated, all of these infections can become serious and even life-threatening to the patients.
When to consult a doctor?
Consult a doctor immediately if you experience a fever of 100.4°F or higher. Your doctor might recommend blood tests or other diagnoses to rule out infections such as neutropenic fever, a common complication of chemotherapy.
Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, it can be a side effect of cancer and its treatments, especially chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy, specifically in the lungs. If you are experiencing a shortness of breath, a tight feeling in your chest, or difficulty breathing, then it could indicate a serious issue such as a blood clot, lung infection, or other health complications.
When to consult a doctor?
If you experience any sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, then consult your doctor immediately, without any delay. Your doctor might suggest imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to check for any health issues related to your lungs.
Unexplainable pain
Pain is a common sign of a cancer treatment, but if you start to experience sudden and unexplained pain, then you should never ignore it. In some patients, they might experience headaches, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, or muscle and joint aches. The main source of this pain could be related to your treatment and the cancer itself.
When to consult a doctor?
Let your doctor know that you are experiencing severe pain in your body, that doesn’t go away. It could indicate complications such as nerve damage, an organ issue or an infection that needs immediate medical intervention.
Severe nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but they should not become overwhelming or consistent. If you are experiencing severe nausea or vomiting and are unable to keep down fluids or foods for 24 hours, then it could lead you to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, which requires immediate medical intervention.
When to consult a doctor?
Consult your doctor immediately if nausea and vomiting become severe and get worse. Your doctor might prescribe anti-nausea medications or recommend any changes in your treatment plan to manage the symptoms.
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Cancer treatments often interfere with your body’s ability to produce platelets, which are essential for blood clotting. If you start to experience any type of sudden bleeding or bruising, or tiny red or purple spots on your skin (petechiae), or if you observe bleeding more than usual or easily, especially on your gums or nose, then do not ignore it and always consult a healthcare provider immediately.
When to consult a doctor?
Seek your doctor immediately if you experience any unusual bleeding or bruising, as this could indicate low platelet levels in the body, such as thrombocytopenia, or other health issues related to your cancer treatment.
Changes in bowel or bladder movements
If you experience any kinds of changes in your urine or bowel movements, such as observing blood in your stool (poop) or urine, severe diarrhea, constipation, or an inability to urinate, then this could indicate a sign of health complications that possibly affected your health because of your cancer treatment.
There are certain cancer drugs used in cancer therapy, including chemotherapy, that can damage the digestive system and urinary tract of patients.
When to consult a doctor?
Let your doctor know that you are experiencing some changes in your bowel and bladder movements. If you experience continuous health issues, then do not ignore them; consult your doctor immediately, otherwise it could lead to dehydration or other serious health concerns.
Skin changes
Some cancer treatments, especially targeted therapies and immunotherapies, can often cause changes in the skin, its color or experiencing rashes or bruises. While some of these changes can be mild and temporary, and get improved over time. If you are experiencing more severe skin changes like open sores, swelling and blisters then you should not ignore these signs.
When to consult a doctor?
If you experience any sudden changes in skin, especially if rashes and skin irritation get worse. Call your doctor immediately and ask them to adjust your therapy to minimize the dosages to reduce your side effects.
Fatigue or extreme weakness
Fatigue and extreme weakness are some of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. It should not interfere with your ability to carry out your daily activities. If you are finding yourself constantly exhausted, weak, or unable to get out of bed despite getting enough rest and sleep, then it could indicate that something is wrong with your body or other health conditions, such as anemia or an electrolyte imbalance in people.
When to consult a doctor?
Seek your doctor if you experience fatigue or extreme tiredness without any improvement. Perform a blood test to analyze your blood count level, electrolyte level, and overall health.
Cognitive changes or (mental fatigue & brain fog)
Cancer patients undergoing treatments, especially chemotherapy, often experience a condition called chemo brain or brain fog; it can sometimes affect the memory, concentration, and clarity in thinking.
If you have been experiencing any significant confusion, including difficulty in concentrating or getting the right words while speaking, or a sudden change in your moods or mental state, then it could be a sign of neurological issues, such as a stroke or a reaction to medications.
When to consult a doctor?
If you start to experience confusion, difficulty in thinking and speaking, or other cognitive changes, then contact your doctor immediately. They will help you to handle and make necessary adjustments in your treatments so that you will feel easy and normal.
Consult Today
Cancer treatment can be more overwhelming and difficult than any usual, less serious health condition. Recognizing early signs of cancer helps you manage the complications and ensure your treatments are as safe and effective as possible.
At Oncare, we offer premium quality cancer treatments including advanced cancer surgeries at affordable price ranges with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our cancer specialist today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common warning signs of cancer, including:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Continuous fatigue
- Skin changes
- Persistent pain
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Hoarseness
- Persistent cough
- Lumps or thickened mass in the body
- Difficulty in swallowing foods
- Changes in bowel habits or bladder habits
- Constant fever or night sweats
Here are some symptoms of cancer that can vary depending on what part of the body is affected. Including:
- Fatigue
- Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
- Weight changes
- Unintended weight loss
- Skin changes
- Bowel or bladder changes
- Continuous coughing or trouble breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Consistent indigestion
- Consistent fever or night sweats
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Here are some of the treatments that can cause several complications.
These may include:
- Pain’
- Fatigue
- Experience difficulty in breathing
- Nausea
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Weight loss
- Chemical changes in the body
- Brain and nervous system issues
- Unusual immune system reactions to cancer
- Cancer spreading
- Cancer recurrence
Here are some ways to reduce the risk of cancer and prevent cancer development in people.
These may include:
- Stop smoking:
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption:
- Eating healthy diet
- Regular physical activity and exercises
- Maintain healthy weight
- Limit the sun exposure
- Schedule cancer screenings and tests regularly
- Get vaccinations to reduce the risk of cancer
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