Palliative Care for People with Cancer

Palliative care can be provided in the hospital, at home, or in a setting specializing in such care. It may be long-term over several years, or short-term, lasting days or weeks. Palliative care may include chemotherapy or radiation for pain control.

Your Skin and Nails and Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can affect both the skin and nails. It may cause an increased sensitivity to the sun as well as redness, rashes, itching, peeling, dryness, or acne. Nails may become darkened, yellow, brittle, or cracked, and may also develop vertical lines or ridges.

Preparing for Cancer Treatment

The first step in preparing for your cancer treatment is to find an oncologist and treatment center. Ask your general or primary healthcare provider for a referral or contact government and professional medical organizations, such as your state's health department, the National Cancer Institute, or the American Medical Association, for information on cancer specialists and treatment centers in your area.

Physical Exercise for Cancer

Exercise offers benefits for many people with cancer. Read on to learn how physical activity may help you, what safety steps to take, exercise tips for cancer survivors, and more.

Pain and Chemotherapy

The goal of pain control is to prevent pain that can be prevented, and to treat pain that cannot be prevented. It is possible that you will not have pain from chemotherapy treatments. But if you do, you can take steps to relieve it.

Cancer and Pain Management

When you have cancer, it's important to talk about pain management with your healthcare provider. Even if pain can't be prevented, it can often be reduced or controlled. Here's what you need to know.

Diarrhea and Chemotherapy

Your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine to control your symptoms. Or if symptoms persist, you may need fluid replacement intravenously (IV). It is possible to replace these fluids intravenously on an outpatient basis. When you are having chemotherapy, you should not take any over-the-counter medicines for diarrhea without first talking with your healthcare provider.