Connect with others who understand.

sign up log in
Resources
About MyBCTeam
Powered By

Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatments

Updated on April 21, 2021
Medically reviewed by
Todd Gersten, M.D.
Article written by
Kelly Crumrin

Women undergoing treatment for breast cancer can experience a huge array of side effects. Most women do not experience every possible side effect. Each treatment and combination of treatments can cause different side effects. Which side effects you experience will also depend on your age, any additional health conditions you have, and your overall health. Just like some women have genetic risk factors for breast cancer, your genetic background can raise your risk for some side effects or lower your risk for others.

Some breast cancer treatments carry a higher risk of causing serious side effects than others. For this reason, there are established guidelines for which breast cancer treatments should be tried first and when more aggressive treatments are warranted. Doctors make treatment recommendations based on the type and stage of the breast cancer.

With any breast cancer treatment, the likelihood of serious side effects must be weighed against the risk that the cancer may continue to advance and become life-threatening.

Types of Side Effects From Breast Cancer Treatment

Some side effects are usually temporary, while others may be chronic, or even permanent. To read about the common side effects of a specific medication, surgery, or other type of breast cancer therapy, visit the treatment pages.

Short-Term Side Effects of Breast Cancer Therapy

Many potential side effects of breast cancer treatment are likely to resolve in the weeks or months following the completion of treatment.

  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss
  • Gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Skin irritation similar to sunburn with radiation therapy
  • Changes to the skin and nails
  • Increased risk for infection
  • Mouth and throat sores
  • Cognitive problems known as “chemo brain” or “cog fog”
  • Muscle pain

Long-Term and Late Side Effects of Breast Cancer Therapy

Late side effects may not occur until months or years after breast cancer treatments have ended. Others may begin during treatment but persist years after treatment is complete. Some side effects of breast cancer treatment can be permanent.

  • Changes in the way the breast looks and feels
  • Pain or sensitivity in the treated area
  • Neuropathy (numbness) due to nerve damage
  • Early menopause and infertility in younger women
  • Edema (swelling) in the breast
  • Lymphedema (swelling caused by the buildup of lymph fluid) in the arm on the treated side
  • Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) that can lead to fractures
  • Damage to the heart muscle or lungs
  • Challenges with sexuality and intimacy
  • Depression
  • Fear of breast cancer recurrence
  • Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
  • Increased risk for developing another type of cancer
  • Weight gain

Condition Guide

Resources

External resources

MyBCTeam resources

Updated on April 21, 2021
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.
Todd Gersten, M.D. is a hematologist-oncologist at the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute in Wellington, Florida. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about him here.
Kelly Crumrin is a senior editor at MyHealthTeam and leads the creation of content that educates and empowers people with chronic illnesses. Learn more about her here.

Related articles

Breast cancer cells sometimes metastasize — travel from the breast to a new place and start growi...

Breast Cancer Spreading to the Bones: 6 Symptoms and How To Treat Them

Breast cancer cells sometimes metastasize — travel from the breast to a new place and start growi...
Breast cancer always starts in cells inside the breast. These cancer cells sometimes spread to ot...

Breast Cancer Spreading to the Brain: 9 Symptoms and Treatments

Breast cancer always starts in cells inside the breast. These cancer cells sometimes spread to ot...
A rash on the breast does not necessarily signal breast cancer. Many breast rashes are related to...

Breast Cancer Rash: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A rash on the breast does not necessarily signal breast cancer. Many breast rashes are related to...
Researchers estimate that 90 percent of people with breast cancer experience fatigue during trea...

Managing Fatigue and Breast Cancer

Researchers estimate that 90 percent of people with breast cancer experience fatigue during trea...
Most people occasionally have trouble sleeping. Too much caffeine or alcohol, heartburn, or just ...

Insomnia and Breast Cancer

Most people occasionally have trouble sleeping. Too much caffeine or alcohol, heartburn, or just ...
One symptom that people living with breast cancer sometimes struggle to talk about is lowered sex...

Low Sex Drive and Breast Cancer

One symptom that people living with breast cancer sometimes struggle to talk about is lowered sex...

Recent articles

In welcome news to many who are immunocompromised, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re...

Next COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Approved

In welcome news to many who are immunocompromised, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re...
The first targeted treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast ...

How Early-Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment Has Evolved

The first targeted treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast ...
Nurse Support | Top 3 Questions | Conversation Guide | Maintenance Therapy Breast cancer treatmen...

7 Ways Your Breast Cancer Nurse Can Support You

Nurse Support | Top 3 Questions | Conversation Guide | Maintenance Therapy Breast cancer treatmen...
Nurses are an important part of your health care team as you undergo treatment for human epiderma...

5 Ways Your Nurse Can Help During HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment

Nurses are an important part of your health care team as you undergo treatment for human epiderma...
​Most people with breast cancer will undergo tests to determine whether their cancer is HER2-posi...

FISH and IHC Testing for HER2: 7 Things To Know

​Most people with breast cancer will undergo tests to determine whether their cancer is HER2-posi...
Advances in treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer ...

Life After HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment: 5 Ways To Stay Healthy

Advances in treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer ...
MyBCTeam My breast cancer Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close