What is a common side effect of chemotherapy for breast cancer?

One of the well-known and common side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer is hair loss. This occurs because chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also healthy cells in hair follicles. Most people undergoing chemotherapy will experience some degree of hair thinning or complete hair loss, typically a few weeks after starting treatment.

While nausea is also a frequent side effect of chemotherapy, it is often manageable with medication. Weight gain can be associated with certain cancer treatments, but it is less directly related to the typical effects of chemotherapy compared to hair loss. Headaches are not commonly cited as a direct side effect of chemotherapy, though they can occur for various reasons related to treatment.

Thus, hair loss stands out as a hallmark concern for patients undergoing chemotherapy, emphasizing the importance of addressing this side effect during treatment discussions.