Because cancer treatment may damage healthy cells and tissues, unwanted side effects are common. Specific side effects depend on many factors, including the type and extent of the treatment. Side effects may not be the same for each person, and they may even change from one treatment session to the next. Before treatment starts, health care providers will explain possible side effects and suggest ways to manage them.

The NCI provides helpful booklets about cancer treatments and coping with side effects, such as Chemotherapy and You, Radiation Therapy and You, and Eating Hints for Cancer Patients. See the “National Cancer Institute Information Resources” section for other sources of information about side effects. NCI’s Web site includes a section called “Coping with Cancer” at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping. This section presents information about coping with fatigue, pain, and other problems.

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