During treatment for metastatic or recurrent breast cancer, you can use home treatment to help manage the side effects that often occur with breast cancer or cancer treatment. Home treatment may be all that is needed to manage the following common problems. In general, healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep and exercise may help control your symptoms. Be sure to follow any instructions and take any medicines your doctor has given you to treat these symptoms.

• Nausea or vomiting. If you have problems with nausea and vomiting while you are taking chemotherapy or receiving radiation therapy, let your doctor know. Prescription medicine is available to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting that may be caused by treatment. It is important to let your doctor know if you have nausea or vomiting in spite of the use of this medicine. Home treatment for nausea or vomiting includes watching for and treating early signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, sticky saliva, and reduced urine output with dark yellow urine. For more information on how to deal with these side effects, see:

  Controlling nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

• Pain. Not all forms of cancer or cancer treatment cause pain. If you have pain, many treatments are available to relieve it. Be sure to follow the instructions and take the medicines that your doctor has given you to treat these symptoms. You may use home treatment for pain to improve your physical and mental well-being. Be sure to discuss with your doctor any home treatment you use for pain.
• Diarrhea. Some chemotherapy medicines can cause diarrhea. Let your doctor know if you have diarrhea while you are on treatment. Radiation therapy to the chest should not cause diarrhea. Home treatment for diarrhea includes resting your stomach and being alert for signs of dehydration. Check with your doctor before you use any nonprescription medicines for your diarrhea.
• Constipation. Pain medicines, chemotherapy, and medicines used to treat nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy can sometimes cause constipation. Let your doctor know if you have problems with constipation after surgery or while you are on chemotherapy. Radiation therapy to the chest should not cause constipation. Home treatment for constipation includes gentle exercise along with enough fluids and a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and fibers. Check with your doctor before you use a laxative for constipation.
• Fatigue. Breast cancer and treatment for it can cause fatigue. Your emotional reaction to a diagnosis of breast cancer and the stress related to treatment may make you feel tired. Some fatigue is expected after surgery and during both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Fatigue is often worse at the end of treatment or just after treatment is completed. Home treatment for fatigue includes making sure you get extra rest while you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Let your symptoms be your guide. You may be able to stay with your usual routine and just get some extra sleep. Let your doctor know if you are feeling unusually tired.