What are some other tips to try if you have trouble speaking or swallowing after cancer treatments?
- Make a rinse to keep your mouth from getting dry. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda and ½ teaspoon salt to a quart of water. Use it to rinse your mouth 4 to 6 times each day. Spit out the rinse. Don't swallow it.
- Do not use a mouthwash or any other over-the-counter rinse that contains alcohol. These can dry out your mouth or cause more pain. Ask your doctor about other oral gels, lubricants, and mouthwashes that you might use.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Drinking through a straw may help with pain.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Use a very soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. You could also use a soft cloth. When your mouth is dry, you are more likely to get tooth decay or have other dental problems.
Caring for yourself during your child's cancer treatment
When your child is sick, you want to do everything you can to help. It might seem like your needs can wait. Or you may feel guilty for taking a break. There's no question about it—it's important to spend time comforting and caring for your child during cancer treatment. But when you take care of yourself, you can do a better job of caring for your child. Here are some things you can do.
- Make time for stress relief.
Different things work for different people. Maybe taking a walk or reading a book lowers stress for you. Or maybe just spending time alone helps you relax. Some people have a spiritual practice they rely on in times of stress. Make some time to do whatever works for you.
- Let others help you, and tell them how.
People will want to help, but they might not know what you need the most. Think about daily tasks that don't need to be done by you. Cleaning, grocery shopping, car pools, dog walking, or yard work might make that list. Let others take on some of these things for you.
- Take care of your relationships.
This is a stressful time, and it can strain relationships. People cope with tough times in different ways. Sometimes it's hard to understand when people cope differently than you. Try not to judge those close to you for how they respond to the stress. Make it a point to connect with the people you care about. You could send a quick text to check in with a friend. Or you could plan lunch alone with your partner. Strong relationships help you stay stronger for your child.
- Make time to be active.
Physical activity can help decrease stress and increase energy. Take time to walk outside or visit the gym. Even walking around the hospital on days when you don't feel like you can leave will help.
- Try to eat healthy meals and snacks.
Meal planning probably isn't at the top of your mind. But keeping up your strength during this difficult time is important. Try to pack nutritious snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, to take to the hospital. Or choose healthy options from the hospital cafeteria. Try not to skip meals or use the vending machines for meals.
How can you manage infertility from cancer treatment?
Some treatments for cancer can cause infertility in both men and women. Also, cancer treatment in children may affect their future fertility. Infertility from cancer treatment may be temporary or permanent.
Whether or not your cancer treatment will affect your fertility depends on many things, such as how many radiation treatments you get or the type of chemotherapy you have.
Before you begin your cancer treatment, talk to your doctor to find out if your fertility could be affected. Your doctor may refer you to a fertility specialist. If preserving fertility is a concern for you, knowing your options can help you know what to decide.
Men
Options to help preserve fertility in men may include:
- Banking sperm (freezing and storing sperm for use in the future) before having any cancer treatment.
- Having the testicles shielded during radiation therapy.
During treatment, use birth control. Radiation to the testicles and some chemotherapy can damage sperm and cause birth defects. If you are having chemotherapy, you need to use a condom during sex because your semen may contain chemotherapy medicines. Also, your partner may need to use birth control.
After treatment, it may take some time to find out if you are fertile. If you have very low sperm counts or if treatment has caused problems with ejaculation, you still may be able to father a child using assisted reproductive technologies.
Women
Options to help preserve fertility in women may include:
- Embryo banking (freezing and storing embryos for use in the future) before having any cancer treatment.
- Having the ovaries shielded during radiation therapy.
- Having surgery to move the ovaries out of the radiation-affected area of the body.
- Banking eggs or ovarian tissue (this is still experimental).
- Protecting the egg supply in other ways, such as by shutting down the pituitary gland.
During treatment, if you have not gone through menopause, you (or your partner) will need to use birth control. Getting pregnant during treatment should be avoided. Cancer treatments can harm a developing baby (fetus).
Children
If your child has cancer, talk to the doctor to find out whether treatment will affect your child's future fertility. This is important even for young children who have cancer. If treatment could affect your child's fertility, ask the doctor to recommend a fertility specialist. This specialist can work with your child's medical team to try to preserve fertility.
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How can breast cancer treatment affect your body image?
Your feelings about your body may change after treatment for breast cancer. For example, you may find it hard to adjust to how your body looks after surgery. These and other physical changes may affect your body image. Or they may affect your desire to be intimate with a partner. Everyone has their own reaction to the challenges of cancer treatment.
If you have concerns, try to talk openly with your partner, if you have one. Or discuss your feelings with your doctor or nurse. Your care team may be able to help. Or they may refer you to counseling or a support group. Talking with others who've had similar feelings can be very helpful.