Will I have pain?

Pain is one of the reasons people fear cancer so much. They are afraid that if they have pain, it will not be relieved. Having cancer does not mean that you will have pain. To some people's surprise, some cancers cause no physical pain at all. Even people with advanced cancers do not always have pain. But if pain does occur, there are many ways to relieve or reduce it. Along with medicines, there are other ways to help manage pain, such as imagery (mental exercises designed to allow the mind to influence the body), biofeedback (a treatment method that uses monitoring devices to help people consciously control certain physical processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, sweating, and muscle tension), relaxation, distraction, surgery, and nerve blocks. A combination of pain control methods can be used if needed.

Some people don't want to take medicines for pain because they are afraid they will become addicted to them. Research has shown that addiction is not an issue for people with cancer who use pain medications as prescribed by their doctor. People also worry that if they take their medicines around the clock, they will become "immune" to that dose and need higher and higher doses until no dose will work. But increasing the dose when needed increases the success of most prescribed pain medicines.

For more information about pain and pain control call the American Cancer Society’s toll-free number or visit our Web site.

Will I be able to work during treatment?

The answer to this question depends on the type of treatment you are getting, the stage of your cancer, your health, and the kind of work you do. How much work you can do and whether you need to limit how much you do both depend on how you feel during treatment. Some people with cancer are able to go to work and go on with much of their normal every day activities while they get treatment. Others find that they need more rest than usual and cannot do as much. Your doctor may suggest that you limit some of your activities.

Many people are able to keep working while they are getting treatment. You may be able to schedule your treatments late in the day or right before the weekend so that they interfere with work as little as possible. If your treatment makes you very tired, you might want to think about changing your work schedule for a while. Talk with your employer about your needs and wishes. You may be able to agree on a part-time schedule, or maybe you can do some of your work at home. Under federal and state laws, some employers may be required to allow you to work a flexible schedule to meet your treatment needs.

Will I be able to exercise during treatment?

Your exercise routine during cancer treatment will depend on your physical condition and your general health before your cancer was found. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you can exercise and what kind of exercise is OK. Exercise, with periods of rest built into your day, can be helpful for many reasons. It can boost your energy level, relieve stress, decrease anxiety and depression, and make you hungry. You can exercise alone or you may find it easier and more fun to exercise with a group of friends.

If you enjoyed regular exercise before cancer, keeping up your exercise routine while having cancer treatment may help you feel like some areas of your life are still "normal." If you have surgery as part of your cancer treatment, your doctor may recommend changes to prevent problems and maintain range of motion in your joints and muscles. Your doctor or a physical therapist can help you come up with a schedule and activities that are right for you.

How will cancer affect my sex life?

Sexual feelings and attitudes vary greatly among people under any circumstances. This is also true during illness. Some people have little or no change in their sexual desire and energy level because of cancer. Others find that their interest declines because of the physical and emotional stresses of having cancer and getting treatment. Stress may include concerns about changes in appearance; worry about health, family, or money; or the results of treatment side effects, including fatigue and hormone changes.

Some people find that they feel even closer to their partners during this time and have an increased desire for sex. Even though pregnancy may be possible during cancer treatment, it may not be wise because some treatments could cause birth defects. Many doctors tell men and women to use birth control throughout their treatment.

If your sexual desire and energy levels change during treatment, keep in mind that this is normal and can happen for a number of reasons. Some common reasons are stress, fatigue, and other treatment side effects. Body image issues may also play a part. If you have had surgery for a cancer in the pelvic or stomach areas, it may make intercourse difficult or painful for a time. Some women have vaginal dryness, and some men have problems with erections (erectile dysfunction) as a side effect of some treatments. If possible, discuss these concerns with your cancer care team and your partner.

If you were comfortable with and enjoyed a healthy sex life before starting treatment, chances are you will still find pleasure in physical intimacy during your treatment. You may find that intimacy takes on a new meaning and you relate differently. Hugging, touching, holding, and cuddling may become more important, while sexual intercourse may become less important.

Good communication is the key to staying sexually active or resuming your sex life with your partner. Your partner's concerns or fears are normal, and they can have an impact on your sex life. Some partners may worry that physical closeness will hurt the person who has cancer. Others may fear that they might "catch" the cancer or be affected by the radiation or chemotherapy. Catching cancer is not possible, but talking about issues like these can clear up many problems. It will also help you find out what different things you can do to make the sexual contact something you can both enjoy.

A healthy sex life can be hard to maintain when there are so many physical and emotional factors involved. Get as much information from your doctor and other resources as you can so that you understand what you can and cannot do before, during, and after treatment. For more information, you may order the free booklets Sexuality for the Man with Cancer and Sexuality for the Woman with Cancer by calling your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Fertility

After chemotherapy or radiation treatment, women may find that their periods become irregular or stop. This does not mean that they cannot get pregnant, so birth control is still needed during treatment. In men, the treatments may reduce or damage sperm cells. But in many cases, men are again fertile after treatment is done.

Whether or not you plan to have children, it is normal to worry about how treatment will affect your fertility. Talk to your doctor before treatment starts about any questions or concerns you have about fertility and cancer treatment. This will help you make the treatment decisions that are best for you.

Go back to After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and Families

Last Medical Review: 03/19/2008
Last Revised: 05/22/2009