Other cancer symptoms
You may experience other symptoms that are not directly related to your SACT treatment
Feeling low, stressed, anxious or tearful
You may struggle with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment, as much and often more than the physical effects. There are several options for emotional support, so do talk to your team if this is the case for you. They will be able to advise and help you think about what will be most useful to help you cope.
More information available from Cancer Research, Maggies and Macmillan
Pain
If you have symptoms of pain that continue to be unresolved, despite measures put in place by your team, ask to be referred to a specialist palliative care team for advice and support.
If you wish to speak to a specialist palliative care nurse directly, please telephone 0300 422 5370 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Call AHOU if:
- You have severe pain
- Your pain is limiting your daily life
- You are concerned about your pain
For more information about managing pain, please visit:
Spinal Cord Compression (SCC)
It is important to recognise the signs and symptoms of SCC.
SCC is an emergency, treatment must be started immediately.
The spinal cord, which is in the spine, carries nerves from the brain down the back and then sends messages throughout the body. These messages are essential for the body to function.
The bones in the spine protect the spinal cord.
If a cancer grows or spreads into the spine or grows around the spine, it can put pressure on the spinal cord. This stops the nerves from working properly. This is called SCC.
Call AHOU immediately if you have:
- Any leg weakness and/or a new back or neck pain
- Numbness or pins and needles in your fingers, toes or buttocks
- A new leg weakness or difficulty walking
- Difficulty controlling your bladder and/or bowels
- You are concerned you may have SCC
For more information about spinal cord compression here.
Breathlessness
If you develop sudden breathlessness with chest pain, chest tightness or it is painful to breathe, please call 999 immediately.
Breathlessness can be caused by many things such as the cancer itself, the treatment you have, fatigue, anaemia, an infection, a blood clot, pain or anxiety.
If you have symptoms of breathlessness that continue to be unresolved, despite measures put in place by your team, ask to be referred to a specialist palliative care team for advice and support.
If you wish to speak to a specialist palliative care nurse directly, please telephone 0300 422 5370 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
For more information about breathlessness here.
Weight loss
Weight loss can be caused by many things such as the cancer itself, the treatment you have, a reduced appetite, a low mood, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhoea or a sore mouth/throat.
For support with weight loss, speak to the CNS team as you can be referred to a dietician.
Please speak to any of the team if you are concerned about your weight.
For more information about weight loss here.
Abdominal swelling/ascites
Some cancers can cause an excess build-up of fluid in the abdomen. The main symptom is a swollen abdomen.
For more information about ascites and its signs and symptoms here.
Call AHOU if you are concerned that you may have ascites.
Lymphoedema
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system; it helps to protect the body against diseases and infections. The system is made up of lymph nodes around the body. The nodes are connected by lymph vessels. The lymph vessels carry lymph fluid through the nodes and the nodes filter out anything the body does not need.
The lymphatic system may not work properly if cancer gets into it or it has been damaged by radiotherapy or surgery. This can cause a build-up of the lymph fluid and swellings appear in the body, most often in the arms or legs.
Please note that arm or leg swelling may also be caused by a blood clot.
For more information about lymphoedema and its signs and symptoms, please visit:
Call the AHOU 24-hour helpline if you are concerned you may have lymphoedema.