Coping With Chemotherapy Side Effects
- TV host and celebrity chef Dave Myers, 66, previously underwent chemotherapy and dealt with a loss of appetite and hair loss. Now he’s back riding again and appreciating life more than ever.
- The chemotherapy side effects vary greatly from person to person, and some people experience very few, if any. More common chemotherapy side effects include: fatigue; hair loss; easy bruising and bleeding; infection; anemia (low red blood cell counts); nausea and vomiting; appetite changes and more.
- One of our experts says there are treatments that can help immensely with certain side effects. With nausea, for example, modern medicine should prevent anyone on chemo from throwing up.
- Try to be open with your care providers about how you’re feeling so they can give you the best possible recommendations and treatments for any side effects you may have.
Famous television presenter and celebrity chef Dave Myers, 66, is grateful for his life and has returned to biking on a new series of "The Hairy Bikers Go West," nearly two years after revealing he was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Myers, who is best known for being one half of the "Hairy Bikers" show along with Si King, 57, filmed the episodes last year while Myers was still undergoing cancer treatment. It's great to see Myers' joy for life and doing the things he loves after overcoming adversity.
On the most recent episode of "The Hairy Bikers Go West," both Myers and King, a motorcycle bikers duo with a passion for food and cooking, explored Lancashire [ Myers was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire] and made some heartfelt statements as the episode concluded. "It's great getting back here with my best mate. We didn't think 18 months ago that we'd be on the bikes again wandering around Dave's backyard and it's wonderful that we are," King said, according to the
Mirror . Myers, who was battling an undisclosed cancer diagnosis since the spring of 2022, chimed in, "It's been glorious. The motorcycling's been glorious. What can I say... it feels so good to be alive!"
RELATED: New Solution: A Popular Antipsychotic Drug Is Now Being Used to Stimulate Appetite In Cancer Patients According to the
Mirror , King recently praised their recent BBC series as one they "will always remember." He said, "We are very privileged to do what we do and I think this one was particularly special in general because of Dave’s health and his sheer and utter determination and love for what he does. "Especially to continue to do it while he was having treatment took remarkable courage and energy – and adds to why Dave and I will not forget it." King, recounted a "lovely moment" in filming that felt like "old times," when Myers "overtook me on the road on the bikes."
Dave Myers' Cancer Battle
Myers hasn't revealed the exact disease he's been battling. However, he did open up in a "
Seasoned" podcast last year about how treatments have impacted his food-centered life. “I've had a pretty crappy year, really, with chemotherapy and stuff,” Myers, who has continued to work amid treatment, said. "So, it's eat well for life, really, and I think it's about eating for the immunity, your heart, for fiber, and, as you get older, well younger as well, it's important to eat well but have that knack of making food tasty so you don't feel as though it's a penance."
Myers looked back on how his chemotherapy treatments, were
"quite hard" and "brutal." Explaining how treatment contributed to him losing his appetite and losing weight, Myers says he's now back to a normal weight. Multiple rounds of chemo also affected the celeb chef’s ability to walk, he explained in another podcast, according to the
Independent. Speaking to Kaye Adams on the “How To Be 60” podcast, Myers said, “By God, the chemotherapy doesn't half age you quickly. Because your balance goes, so for someone with a motorbike that's a disaster, and my walking has been affected quite a lot, really.”
RELATED: After "Brutal" Cancer Battle, "Hairy Bikers" Chef Dave Myers Reveals Special Foods That Are Helping Him Get Ready for New Show Adding how chemo has altered the “neuropathy” in his feet, he explained, “So I've had to learn to walk again properly. …It's a funny thing, chemotherapy, it's one of life's great levellers. It doesn't matter if you're on the telly or on the dole, if you get that then you're in the s***.”
Neuropathy is numbness or pain in hands and/or feet from nerve damage, according to Mayo Clinic. Treatments like chemotherapy can lead to neuropathy.
Managing Chemo Side Effects
If you've experienced chemotherapy side effects like Dave Myers, it's important to know that doctors have ways to manage these symptoms. In an earlier
interview with Dr. Michael Ulm , a gynecologic oncologist at West Cancer Center, said the chemotherapy of today is much different that the chemotherapy of not too long ago.
Resources For Managing Chemotherapy
"One of the things that patients worry most about is nausea with chemotherapy. With modern medicine and modern antiemetics, you should never have severe nausea and you should never throw up," he explained. Fatigue can also be a symptom and has the potential to worsen as chemo cycles add up. If your chemo has also caused anemia a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells you can try to combat fatigue by treating the anemia. Rest breaks, frequent exercise, healthy eating and prioritizing sleep can also help. "What I typically tell patients is that [chemotherapy] is a bit of a roller coaster ride,"
Dr. Zachary Reese , a medical oncologist at Intermountain Healthcare, told SurvivorNet. "You're going to feel tired about a week into treatment, and that's when you'll hit bottom. And then you'll start to come back up again just in time to do it all over. You'll feel a little more tired the second time around than you did the first, and it will last a day longer." Hair loss can be another chemo side effect. But this one might have more of a mental impact than a physical one. Thankfully, the hair loss associated with chemo is temporary. It generally begins about three to four weeks after beginning chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment. People can expect regrowth around four to six weeks after they complete treatment, but some patients may experience some changes to hair color and texture when it begins growing back.
Why Does Cancer Cause Weight Loss?
Dr. Rodrigo Leão Edelmuth previous
explained via SurvivorNet , that "the syndrome of cancer-related anorexia/cachexia is marked by a combination of anorexia, weight loss, and a decline in muscle mass and body fat." "Alongside reduced energy intake, there can be an increase in resting energy expenditure, leading to elevated breakdown of muscle protein and fat. These changes are believed to be partially caused by an inflammatory response triggered by tumor-released cytokines," he said.
Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects As for the reasons behind weight loss from from cancer, Dr. Edelmuth says it could be from:
- Decreased appetite : Cancer can affect the body’s normal metabolism and lead to a reduced appetite. Factors such as tumor-related chemicals, inflammation, and the release of certain substances by cancer cells can contribute to a loss of appetite.
- Altered metabolism : Cancer can disrupt the body’s metabolism, leading to changes in how nutrients are processed and utilized. The tumor itself may require a significant amount of energy, diverting nutrients away from normal bodily functions and resulting in weight loss. Increased energy expenditure: Some cancers can increase the body’s energy expenditure, causing it to burn calories at a faster rate. This can result in weight loss, even if a person’s calorie intake remains the same.
- Nutrient malabsorption : Certain types of cancer, particularly those affecting the digestive system, can impair the absorption of nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition and weight loss, as the body is not able to adequately absorb essential nutrients.
- Cancer treatment side effects : Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery can have side effects that contribute to weight loss. These treatments can affect the digestive system, cause nausea, vomiting, changes in taste, and impact a person’s ability to eat and tolerate food.
- Cachexia : Cancer-related cachexia is a severe form of weight loss characterized by muscle wasting, loss of body fat, and weakness. It is often associated with advanced stages of cancer and is thought to be caused by a combination of factors including inflammation, metabolic changes, and the release of certain substances by the tumor.
According to the
National Health Institute , "Cachexia is estimated to occur in up to 80% of people with advanced cancer, depending on the cancer type and how well they respond to cancer treatment. And it's thought to directly cause up to 30% of cancer deaths, often because of heart or respiratory failure related to muscle loss. "In its most severe form, the physical deterioration that accompanies cachexia can leave a person not only weak and fatigued, but unable or unwilling to eat, and with alarming changes in appearance. For many, these problems can turn everyday life activities—a trip to the grocery store, meeting a friend for coffee, taking a bath—into Herculean tasks, if not outright impossibilities."
Things You Can Do To Make Sure You're Eating Enough Amid Cancer
To eat enough and make sure that your body gets the nutrients it needs, according to Dr. Edelmuth, you can:
- Eat 5 to 6 small meals a day, instead of 3 large meals.
- Eat healthy snacks in between meals whenever you feel hungry.
- Add butter, oil, nuts, gravy, powdered milk, protein powder, or cream to your foods to give them extra calories and protein.
- Drink fluids between meals instead of with your meals, so you don’t fill up on fluids.
- Eat foods that smell good, or add spices or condiments to your food.
- Eat with family or friends.
- Buy pre-cooked foods or cook food ahead of time and freeze it.
- Ask someone to cook or shop for you, if you are unable to cook or shop.
- Take a short walk about an hour before you eat to help you work up an appetite.
- Ask your doctor if you should take vitamins or work with a nutrition expert.
- If you have side effects from your treatments that are keeping you from eating, these tips might help:
- If you have a dry mouth, drink lots of fluids and avoid foods that are hard or dry (such as toast or crackers). You can eat moist foods, or suck on ice chips or sugar-free hard candy.
- If you have mouth sores, eat soft foods that you can chew and swallow easily. You can also cut up your food into small pieces or mash it in a blender. Try to avoid spicy or salty foods.
- If you have nausea, eat foods that are bland and dry, such as crackers, rice, and toast. Avoid foods that are spicy and greasy.
- If you have trouble having a bowel movement, try to drink more fluids. You can also eat foods with a lot of fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, oatmeal, and some breads and cereals (figure 1).
- If you have diarrhea, try to drink a lot of fluids so your body doesn’t lose too much water. Try to avoid milk, greasy foods, and foods with a lot of fiber.
Coping With Hair Loss from Cancer Treatment
Hair loss can be an emotional stage of anyone’s cancer journey. SurvivorNet has tips and resources for anyone facing this side effect and struggling to manage it. “For cancer patients, losing one’s hair can be unbelievably stressful. To start with, the dread of losing one’s hair can lead to some sleepless nights and feelings of anxiety,”
Dr. Samantha Boardman , a New York-based psychiatrist and author,
told SurvivorNet. Chemotherapy can cause hair loss. It usually begins about three to four weeks after chemotherapy and continues throughout treatment.
WATCH: Hair loss during chemo. It happens because this treatment targets quickly dividing cells throughout the body. That includes cancer cells but also hair cells.
Radiation is another treatment that can lead to hair loss if the hair is in the path of the tumor being treated. For example, radiation for a brain tumor may cause hair loss on the head. “If you do lose hair, it will regrow several weeks or months after treatment,” radiation oncologist at GensisCare
Dr. James Taylor tells SurvivorNet. “Fortunately, for most patients, hair loss is not a concern when having radiation therapy.” Most patients can expect regrowth four to six weeks after treatment. However, it is possible when your hair grows back, you may notice some changes in its color and texture. Dr. Boardman suggests connecting with others experiencing cancer treatment like yours and asking them for first-hand advice. She added, "Talk to people who have been through it, get their advice, voice your concerns to your caregiver, and see what they can do. If losing your hair is a concern for you before cancer treatment, know you have options like wigs, hats, wraps, and more.
WATCH: What is a scalp-cooling device? Questions for Your Doctor Ahead of Chemotherapy
- How long will it take to give this treatment?
- What side effects can I expect during treatment?
- Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?
- What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?
- What can be done to prevent or relieve the side effects?
The Power of Diet and Exercise During Cancer Journey
Dave Myers may have a slight advantage when it comes to developing a hearty diet, but everyone can reach similar results as him. SurvivorNet experts stress there is no "cancer-specific diet" meaning there are no guidelines people battling cancer should adhere to. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet and exercise is recommended. "My rule of thumb is, all things in moderation are usually acceptable," Dr. Safar Lonial, Chief Medical Officer at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,
tells SurvivorNet. "I think being able to maintain weight is important. What I tell patients is, the stronger and fitter you are going into treatment, the stronger and fitter you’re going to come out on the back end. Exercise is important. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet," Dr. Lonial continued.
Dr. Ken Miller , the Director of Outpatient Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, also has some guidelines for cancer survivors who are worried about a recurrence:
- Exercising at least two hours a week
- Eat a low-fat diet.
- Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. In many cancers and diseases, obesity is a common risk factor.
Not Your Parents' Chemotherapy: New Solutions for Nausea, Hair Loss, and Other Chemo Side Effects During Ovarian Cancer Treatment Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff 
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