Cancer Treatment Beware: What you need to know!
Sharing data taken from Mayo Clinic’s website – one of the leading cancer hospitals in the country
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-survivor/art-20045524
I am “not” sharing this to endorse Mayo Clinic; I’m sharing this because “late effects” have not been taken seriously! Late effects are "not" rare, but conversations about cancer treatment's serious health consequences are!!
What cancer treatments cause late effects? Late effects of cancer treatment can come from any of the main treatment types. These include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation, surgery, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. As newer cancer treatments become available, these might be found to cause late effects, too.
| Treatment | Late effects |
| Chemotherapy | Dental problems, Early menopause, Hearing loss, Heart problems, Increased risk of other cancers, Infertility Loss of taste, Lung disease, Nerve damage, Memory issues, Osteoporosis Problems with digestion, Reduced lung capacity |
| Radiation therapy | Cavities and tooth decay, Early menopause, Heart and vascular problems, Hypothyroidism, Increased risk of other cancers, Increased risk of stroke, Infertility, Intestinal problems, Lung disease, Lymphedema, Memory issues, Osteoporosis |
| Surgery | Lymphedema |
| Hormone therapy | Blood clots, Hot flashes, Increased risk of other cancers, Menopausal symptoms, Osteoporosis, Sexual side effects |
| Immunotherapy | Joint or muscle problems |
| Targeted therapy | Blood clots, Heart and vascular problems |
What are the late effects of treatment for childhood cancer? People who underwent cancer treatment as children may be at risk of many of the same late side effects that can happen after cancer treatment in adults. Childhood cancer survivors may be at risk of additional late side effects. That's because children's bones, tissues and organs grow quickly. Cancer treatment can interfere during this critical time of growth. Late side effects in childhood cancer survivors depend on the type of cancer and treatment. The age at which you were treated may determine what late side effects, if any, you might have.
Childhood cancer survivors experience some of these late side effects:
- Heart problems, including a higher risk of heart attack
- Blood vessel problems, including a higher risk of stroke
- Lung problems, which can cause difficulty breathing
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- Cataracts Bone problems, such as joint pain and bone thinning, which is also called osteoporosis
- Short stature, caused by slow bone growth
- Obesity Infertility
- Memory issues and learning disabilities
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Thyroid problems
- Increased risk of other types of cancers
- Nerve damage
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
If you, a family member or friend have been advised to undergo standard cancer treatment, do you want yourself or others to risk further health challenges down the road -- including "other types of cancers"?
My choice? I would never again inflict pain & dis-ease on my body from standard cancer treatments -- that is what I consider self-inflicted cruelty! I'm living multiple health conditions from radiation because my parents & I were told "nothing" & now you know! Do not allow a deadly prognosis generate fear & unclear thinking! Safe options are available! I am not the only one who survived because I walked away from the death sentence of chemotherapy.
You decide...the disturbing reality is there! ❤️