Tips for Feeling Your Best During Treatment for Colorectal Cancer

When you are being treated for colorectal cancer, it’s likely you will have side effects from that treatment. That’s because treatments to destroy cancer cells can harm healthy cells at the same time, so your body may have a reaction. You may also have symptoms of the disease to deal with. For instance, if the tumor puts pressure on an organ or body part, you may feel pain. Or the tumor could interfere with your normal bowel functions.

Side effects can be different in each person. Some people have none. Others have many. Some side effects may change with time, while others stay the same. Side effects can be temporary, or they can be permanent.

When you have side effects, they can interfere with your day-to-day life. Some side effects may make your symptoms worse. For example, if you’re depressed or not sleeping well, you may be tired. As a result, your pain may feel worse. Getting relief from one side effect can often help relieve others.

In this section, you’ll learn how to cope with some of the most common side effects of treatments for colorectal cancer.