More Than Just Surviving: Dr Lisa Chan Discovers Ways Alleviating Side Effects of Cancer Treatments

Even when cancer has been successfully controlled, the disease can cause numerous side effects. DR LISA CHAN enumerates several ways in which these can be alleviated.

Cancer is one of the most dreaded words a patient can hear, and the road to recovery can be long and arduous. Even when the disease itself has been successfully controlled, patients can be deeply emotionally affected by the physical changes that can result from treatment. These can range from surgical scars, atrophic, dehydrated and dyspigmented skin, striae and hair loss, as well as lost volume due to rapid weight loss. 

To minimise the appearance of surgical scars, I like to ask patients to use a silicone dressing for the first three months after surgery. Any persistent hypertrophic or keloid scars can then be treated with vascular lasers, intense pulsed light and steroid injections.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause dyspigmented, dry and itchy skin. For patients who have cancers not involving the head and neck, various lasers and intense pulsed-light treatments can create more even complexions, reduce telangiectasias and remove radiotherapy tattoos. Calming and hydrating facials can also help to relieve these symptoms, healing through the power of touch, lightening mood and helping the patient regain confidence in their appearance.

The use of fillers can restore lost volume, while high-intensity ultrasound or long pulse laser devices can reduce facial sagging from the loss of subcutaneous fat. My preference is to use pure hyaluronic acid fillers in post-cancer patients as these have a lower chance of delayed hypersensitivity, nodule formation and granulomatous reactions, and to avoid the use of energy-based devices that require a return pad. 

Besides reducing facial wrinkles, the injection of botulinum toxin can also be considered in cancer patients with hyperhidrosis, facial asymmetry, migraines and spasticity. Botulinum toxin works to prevent muscles from contracting and its use is safe in the hands of an experienced clinician utilising minute quantities. However, patients with neuromuscular diseases should avoid the use of botulinum toxin.

To recover skin health, a quality skincare regimen is also helpful. Lightweight, hypoallergenic lotions without chemicals, dyes or perfumes can help the skin recover suppleness that’s been lost during treatment, and patients should avoid harsh peels and exfoliants that can compromise the skin barrier.

Given that many cancer patients’ immune systems may still not be fully recovered, it’s important that all treatments are done under strictly aseptic conditions and that antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis be considered to minimise the risk of infection. To reduce the chances of aesthetic treatments interacting with cancer therapies, it’s also a good idea to get a go-ahead from the treating oncologist.

Going through cancer is never easy, but with a good multidisciplinary team and doctors who are willing to have open conversations, cancer patients can get the physical and emotional support that’s vital to making a full recovery.