• Temporary
• Varies from slight thinning to complete baldness
• Can start 10-21 days after receiving chemotherapy
• Severity depends on type of drug
  

• Keep hair short
• Wear a wig or head covers
• Avoid using strong medicated shampoo
• Use SPF-containing skin products to protect skin and exposed scalp
  

Due to:

• Change in taste
• Psychological factor
• Reduced saliva production

Onset of anorexia varies with each individual. Approximately 15 – 40% of patients will experience early in the course of their treatment.

• Avoid food that patient has found unpleasant
• Use seasonings, gravies, or sauces to improve flavour
• Marinate meat to enhance flavour or replace with other high protein foods if there is a strong dislike for meat
• Take small but frequent meals

• Discuss with your doctor if appetite stimulant are OK for you (e.g. megestrol, dexamethasone, etc)
• Artificial saliva to moisten the mouth
• Saliva stimulant
  (e.g. pilocarpine)

Note: The above medications are prescription items.

• If happen, are usually worst on the day of treatment
• Can last for 3 or more days after chemotherapy
  

• Try food or beverage that is easy to take
• Avoid fatty or fried foods, very spicy or very sweet foods
• Eat foods that are at room temperature or cold
  

• Take anti-vomiting drugs as prescribed by the doctor.
• E.g. metoclopramide, dexamethasone, ondansetron, granisetron, etc

Tips: Take the medication as prevention or once nausea is felt. Do not wait till the patient has vomited.

• Unable to move bowels (need to strain)
• Moving bowels less often than before
• Hard stools
  

• Drink 6-8 glasses of fluid per day
• Take more fibre (e.g. cereals, fruits, vegetables)
• Exercise daily
  

• If the patient tends to develop constipation after each course of chemotherapy, take medication to prevent it from occurring for subsequent cycles.
• E.g. Lactulose, senna, bisacodyl, liquid paraffin, fybogel

• More than 2 loose or watery stools per day
• May occur within 24 hours of chemotherapy (acute) or more than 24 hours after chemotherapy
  

• Eat smaller but more frequent meals
• Eat low-fiber foods (e.g. white bread, white rice, fish, yogurt, etc)
• Avoid high-fiber foods (e.g. whole-grain breads, cereals, raw vegetables)
• Drink plenty of fluids (about 2L), e.g. water, apple juice, clear soups
• Avoid milk and milk products
• Refrain from coffee, tea, and alcohol
  

• Take the anti-diarrhoea drugs as prescribed by the doctor.
• E.g. loperamide, lomotil
  

• Weak, tired
• Lack self-motivation
• Dizzy
• Feeling of laziness or depression
  

• Take well balanced meals and drink sufficient water
• Follow regular bedtime
• Light exercise
• Avoid doing over-tiring household chores
  

• Supplement with energy-fortified drinks
• Discuss you’re your doctor if you need treatment for anaemia (supplement with iron tablets or multivitamins, injection of erythropoitin or even blood transfusion may be deemded necessary by your doctor for treating or preventing fatigue due to anaemia)
  

• Inflammation of the mouth lining leading to redness and ulceration

• Examine the mouth regularly to check for any ulcers, patches, or scars
• Keep mouth clean and moist
• Avoid hot, spicy or sour foods and drinks
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
• Avoid using mouthwashes that contain more than 6% alcohol
  

• Gargle regularly everyday with salt water or antiseptic mouthwash (e.g. chlorhexidine, glycerin thymol, etc)
• Apply oral gel to the ulcers as prescribed by the doctor (e.g. kenalog in orabase, ora-sed jel, etc)