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Colorectal Cancer: Post Treatment 6 Months+: Medical Care Stages 0,1

How To Deal With Ongoing Or New Symptoms

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It is possible that the physical and mental effects of chemotherapy or radiation will continue  - or new symptoms may show up. For example:

  • If you have been experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is likely to continue. To learn the steps for dealing with erectile dysfunction, click here
  • If you had radiation or chemotherapy, fatigue may continue.  For coping techniques, click here. Depression may be ongoing or recurrent.  Click here  for information about coping with depression. Click here for information about coping with holiday depression.
  • You may even experience post traumatic stress disorder or a tingling or pain in your hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy).
  • If you had chemotherapy, it is not unusual for a reaction known as "chemo brain" to continue or even to show up after treatment ends. For information about coping with chemo brain, click here
  • If you had radiation, a condition known as “radiation recall” may appear.

If any lingering effects interfere with your life or seem severe, contact your cancer doctor or other health care provider.

NOTE:

  • Report all unanticipated changes in your health to primary care physician as well as to your oncologist. The symptoms could relate to your cancer or to something else entirely.  An update by fax or email will do.   
  • If you experience fatigue, work with your doctor to try to determine the cause. For example, fatigue could be a symptom of any of the following conditions:
    • Depression: A psychologist can help improve functioning, especially one knowledgeable about the impact of cancer. Psychotropic medication may also help.
    • Hypothyroidism: Thyroid tests usually done routinely may not be specific enough for people with cancer treatment in their medical history. If thyroid problems are suspected, a specialist known as an endocrinologist will be able to accurately diagnose and treat them.
    • Anemia: A simple blood test can determine iron deficiency anemia. Some people may need iron supplementation. A change in eating habits may help.
    • Heart problems.

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