Effects of chemotherapy on
everyday life
This information is an extract from the booklet Understanding
chemotherapy. You may find the full booklet helpful. We can
send you a copy free – see page 3.
Even though chemotherapy treatment can cause unpleasant
side effects, some people still manage to lead an almost
normal life during treatment. Chemotherapy can make you
feel better by relieving the symptoms of your cancer. Even if
you feel unwell during your course of treatment, you may find
that you recover quickly between each cycle and can take up
your usual activities again as you begin to feel better.
You may be able to go to work and carry on with your social
activities as usual, but may need to take rests during the day
or shorten your working hours.
Social life
While you’re having chemotherapy you may find that you
can’t do some of the things you used to take for granted.
Depending on how well you feel, there’s no reason to stop
going out or visiting friends, especially if you can plan ahead.
If you’re going out for the evening, for example, you could
make sure that you get plenty of rest during the day so you
have more energy for the evening. If you are planning to go
out for a meal, you may find it helpful to take anti-sickness
tablets before you go.
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Effects of chemotherapy on everyday life
If you have an important social event (such as a wedding)
coming up, ask your doctor whether the time of your
treatment can be changed so that you can feel as well as
possible for the occasion.
Alcohol
For most people, having the occasional alcoholic drink will
not affect the chemotherapy treatment, but it’s best to check
with your doctor beforehand.
Holidays and vaccinations
If you are going abroad on holiday, it’s important to
remember that you should not have any ‘live’ vaccines while
you’re having chemotherapy. These include:
• MMR (the triple vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella)
• BCG (tuberculosis)
• yellow fever
• oral typhoid.
There are some vaccines that you can have if necessary.
If you’re travelling abroad, ask your doctor if you need any
vaccines and whether it’s safe for you to have them.
Sometimes people who have, or have had, cancer can find it
difficult to get travel insurance. We have a list of companies
that may offer travel insurance for people with cancer.
Our booklet Travel and cancer has helpful tips
on many travel issues.
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Effects of chemotherapy on everyday life
More information and support
If you have any questions about cancer, ask Macmillan.
If you need support, ask Macmillan. Or if you just want
someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
Our cancer support specialists are here for everyone
living with cancer, whatever you need.
Call free on 0808 808 00 00, Monday–Friday, 9am–8pm
www.macmillan.org.uk
We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate but it
should not be relied upon to reflect the current state of medical research, which is
constantly changing. If you are concerned about your health, you should consult
your doctor. Macmillan cannot accept liability for any loss or damage resulting from
any inaccuracy in this information or third party information such as information on
websites to which we link. © Macmillan Cancer Support 2010. Registered charity
in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604).
Registered office 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ
REVISED IN JUNE 2010
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