Managing symptoms


People may experience many different symptoms when they have advanced cancer. While it may not be possible to control all symptoms, there are ways to help you feel as comfortable as possible.

As the disease progresses, the intensity of symptoms and how often you experience them will vary, and this may affect what you are able to do.

Pain

Many people with advanced cancer worry they will be in pain, but some won't and for others, it may come and go. The pain may be caused by the cancer itself or by cancer treatment. There are many ways to relieve pain.

Everyone experiences pain differently, so it may take time to find the most effective method of relief. Using tools, such as a pain scale or pain diary, can help you describe your pain and how it is affecting you, which will inform treatment options.

How and where the pain is felt and how it affects your life can change. It’s better to take medicine regularly, rather than waiting for the pain to build up. This is called staying on top of the pain. Controlling the pain may allow you to continue with activities you enjoy for some time and offer a better quality of life.

Pain medicines

Other ways to manage pain

 

Feeling sick

People with advanced cancer often have problems with feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting). These can be caused by treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, cancer growth, blockage of the bowel or the location of the cancer.

Nausea can usually be managed with medicines. Many people talk about anticipatory nausea, the response your body learns when you know it is chemotherapy time again. Even if you are no longer having chemotherapy, you may still feel a surge of nausea if you’re going past the place where you were treated. 

Blockage in the bowel

High levels of calcium in your blood

Ways to manage nausea and vomiting

 

Loss of appetite

People with advanced cancer often notice changes in their appetite. This may be because of the cancer itself, treatment, or other side effects such as tiredness, taste changes or depression. A loss of appetite often leads to weight loss and malnutrition.

Eating is important to help you maintain your strength, function and quality of life. However, it’s not necessary to force yourself to eat, as this may only make you feel uncomfortable and cause vomiting and stomach pain.

People with advanced cancer may develop a muscle-wasting syndrome known as cachexia. This means the body isn’t using protein, carbohydrates and fats properly. Your doctor or dietitian will discuss ways to control cachexia, which may include nutritional supplements or medicines such as appetite stimulants.  

Ways to manage a loss of appetite

 

Shortness of breath

People with advanced cancer often experience shortness of breath (breathlessness). This is also called dyspnoea.

Treatment will depend on the cause of breathlessness. You may need fluid around the lungs drained or medicine prescribed to treat an infection or other lung problem. If breathlessness is caused by the lungs not supplying enough oxygen to your blood, your doctor can arrange a portable oxygen cylinder.

Causes and symptoms

Ways to manage breathlessness

 

Fatigue

For many people, extreme or constant tiredness (fatigue) can be a major problem, particularly as the cancer advances. You may find feeling fatigued distressing and frustrating. Some people say the fatigue is worse than any pain or nausea they’ve experienced.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you think you are becoming weaker or more fatigued. If anaemia is making the fatigue worse, it can be managed. You may be referred to an occupational therapist who can teach you ways to save your energy.

Causes

Ways to manage fatigue

 

Sleeping difficulties

Getting enough sleep is important for maintaining your energy levels, reducing fatigue and improving mood. Difficulty sleeping may be caused by pain, breathlessness, anxiety or depression. Some medicines, hormonal changes and nausea can also affect sleep. If you already had sleep problems before the cancer spread, these can become worse.

Ways to improve sleep

 

Living with Advanced Cancer

Download our Living with Advanced Cancer booklet to learn more and find support

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