How will breast cancer chemotherapy affect my daily life?

Many women are able to continue working or carry on with their usual daily routines while they are undergoing chemotherapy, just as long as they match their schedule to how they feel. While some women find they are able to lead a fairly normal life during their treatment, others become very tired and have to take things much more slowly.

 

You’ll probably want to know as much as possible in advance if you’ll be too tired to work full time, care for your children, or keep up with your other normal responsibilities. You may get to a point during your chemotherapy when you feel too sick to work. Talk with your employer about medical leave. Check with your health insurance company about paying for treatments while you are on medical leave

There have been major advances in chemotherapy over the past 20 years. We are now much better at controlling and preventing side effects. For example, we now have drugs that very effectively prevent nausea and vomiting. I tell my patients that the most likely side effects they will experience include: temporary hair loss, tiredness and cessation of menstruation. Most patients receiving chemotherapy will be able to maintain a fairly normal schedule and quality of life.