Lung cancer and its treatment are complex. With different treatments come different side effects—and myths. Thanks to our HelpLine team, we’re debunking some of the most common myths about lung cancer treatment side effects.
MYTH 1: If you tell your doctor about side effects, they will stop your treatment.
There are many ways your healthcare team can work with you to address your symptoms without changing your treatment. Don’t be afraid to share your symptoms with your doctor and let them know right away if you develop a new or worsening side effect. You may also want to keep a journal of when you get side effects to see if there is a pattern to your symptoms or recurring side effects you can share with your doctor. If a side effect is dangerous, the doctor may have to stop the treatment but with most side effects the goal is to manage them better.
MYTH 2: Cancer treatments are supposed to be miserable.
While symptoms and side effects are common, you do not have to be miserable for treatment to work. Coping with the effects of treatment can take a toll on a person and their caregiver so be sure to reach out to your healthcare team or GO2 for Lung Cancer for support.
MYTH 3: My oncologist and nurses are the only people I should talk to about my side effects.
While it is key to tell your oncologist and nurses about your symptoms, you may also need to see other specialists to address your side effects. Other specialists might include a dermatologist for a skin issue or a psychiatrist to address a mental health concern.
MYTH 4: Palliative care is for people who are dying.
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with a serious illness with the goal of improving life for the patient and the family at all stages of diagnosis and treatment. It does not require you to be a specific age or stage in your lung cancer journey.
Palliative care has shown to extend survival with a high quality of life. This is not an “or,” it is an “and,” meaning it aims to improve quality of life and help improve treatment. Explore resources on our website to learn more about palliative care, how to get it, and how to talk to your doctor about it.
Are you or is someone you love experiencing side effects from lung cancer treatment? Learn more about managing side effects and contact our HelpLine for free, one-on-one support throughout your lung cancer journey.
I have a GI issue. Many times when I eat my abdomen right side area goes into spasm. This has been going on for years. Now there is a spot in my liver. (There is a scan from 2011 of lesion on my liver that was never addressed.) Although not biopsied it is now said to be cancer. Yesterday I felt so well in mid morning. I thought how could I be ill. Then after eating lunch the overall malaise returned. Spasm in midriff, lightheadedness , the spasm causes a vertical line of tightness up thru my neck and into the right side of my head all around the ear area. Strain on right eye. My eye exam was good. It was examined by a neuroopthalmolgist.
I asked oncologist at Mayo to see the GI doctor there. But was told no because there was no prescription. Oncologist was afraid we would be turned down. I went to my local GP and asked her to try. We were told Mayo is booked out months. I live in charleston SC, Mayo is in Jacksonville Florida. The GI doctors in Charleston have never been able to find the problem. If I can get this problem resolved my quality of life would be tops. I could better focus to help myself. I need a good GI doctor and a good dietician. I would like to see a doctor at the same place I’m treated for my cancer. Is that reasonable?
When I registered my symptoms with oncologist at Mayo I was told it was not my cancer. I know now from how I felt yesterday that my problem is separate from the cancer.
This is not a side effect of my Keytruda infusion. This problem existed before. But once treatment started I could not tell if symptom was from treatment. I ac not discern that.
How can I advocate for myself. What language to use to get the doctors to hesr this is a problem.
My first CT scan to know my response to treatment is April 22.
I pray you can follow this and understand the connection to side effects.
Thank you.
(I have stage 3C maybe 4 adenocarcinoma NSCLC. Recently diagnosed. Keytruda treatment 4 infusions to day).
Hi Judith,
So sorry to hear about your discomfort. If you need someone to talk to our HelpLine support team is a wonderful resource. For more information on how to contact them please visit: https://go2.org/resources-and-support/general-support/helpline/. Sending you positivity!