So, it is not surprising that many people feel that they age dramatically during chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, the epidermis loses its ability to hold on to moisture, which leads to fine lines in the skin's surface. In the dermis, the collagen and elastin break down, which weakens the skin's support structure.
After stopping the treatment, the acceleration of aging may slow down, sometimes may even reverse, but this patient may not “appear to be age 65” like how she appears to be at the pretreatment level (Figure 1) [8]. Hypothesized accelerated aging due to cancer treatments, adapted with permission from Guida et al.
Some types of chemotherapy can cause your skin to become dry, itchy, red or darker, or peel. You may develop a minor rash or sunburn easily; this is called photosensitivity. Some people also have skin pigmentation changes. Your nails may be dark and cracked, and your cuticles may hurt.
Cancer and its treatment can sometimes change the way you look. These changes might be visible to other people or they might be changes only you can see. Changes to how you look can affect you in different ways.
On average, chemotherapy accelerated aging by approximately 17 years of life span, with acceleration of 23 to 27 years for those treated with anthracycline-based treatment.
For some people chemotherapy can cause long term changes in the body months or years after treatment. Many people feel more tired than usual for a long time after chemotherapy treatment. This is most likely to happen after a lot of treatment, or very intensive treatment.
“All who have done chemo do finally get back to normal,” Patricia said. “Treatment for breast cancer can take a whole year, but six months after it ends, life comes back – incisions heal, hair grows back, chemo brain fog lifts.” Patricia often has survivors say they can't believe they got back to feeling 100% normal.
Skin changes also occur during chemotherapy. Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause temporary redness in the face and neck. This happens when the blood capillaries, which are the smallest part of blood vessels, enlarge and expand. The skin also can get dry, become darker or even more pale.
Try this: As soon as you start treatment, moisturize regularly with a thick, rich, unscented product that contains protective ceramides, such as CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. Bathe with a moisturizing and fragrance-free soap, like Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar. Keep up the good skincare habits after treatment.
Hydrate skin regularly after chemotherapy
Adding a hydrating spritz into your routine is a gentle way to tone after cleansing, but it can also be used throughout the day to help cool and hydrate the skin, or simply help you freshen up whenever you feel like it.
“The 'peach fuzz' is the initial regrowth of this hair,” Alan explains. Some corticosteroid drugs like prednisone (that are often used with chemo) work to decrease inflammation in the body and suppress the immune system—and they can cause hair growth as well, Alan says.
Some chemotherapy regimens may contain steroids. Steroids can cause fat deposits to develop (often between the shoulder blades). Some people also experience a round or full face. These side effects occur most often with long-term steroid use is expected and will go away once steroids are discontinued.
The discovery of penicillin in 1928 marked the beginning of what has been called the "golden age of chemotherapy," in which previously life-threatening bacterial infections were transformed into little more than a source of discomfort.
Other recent statistics on cancer survivorship : About 67% of cancer survivors have survived 5 or more years after diagnosis. About 18% of cancer survivors have survived 20 or more years after diagnosis. 64% of survivors are age 65 or older.
For most cancers where palliative chemotherapy is used, this number ranges from 3-12 months.
Overall, 13% of patients reported treatment-related regret at 5 years. This included 6% of patients undergoing surgery, 11% undergoing radiotherapy, and 7% undergoing active surveillance.
Your doctor may recommend that you avoid sex until your white blood cell counts rise to safe levels. If your chemotherapy causes a low platelet count, intercourse could cause bleeding. If your platelet count is extremely low, severe bleeding could occur.
Breast cancer: Women with breast cancer have an overall 30% chance of recurrence. Many cases happen within five years of completing the initial treatment. Cervical cancer: Of those with invasive cervical cancer, an estimated 35% will have a recurrence.
For most people the side effects were worst in the first few days after treatment, then they gradually felt better until the next treatment. Some said the effects were worse with each successive treatment. Most side effects don't persist and disappear within a few weeks after the end of treatment.
For most people, chemo belly will go away on its own following the treatment. For some, GI symptoms, including diarrhea and constipation, can last for years following chemo.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause changes in the lining of the mouth and the salivary glands, which make saliva. This can upset the healthy balance of bacteria. These changes may lead to mouth sores, infections, and tooth decay.