Almost half of female cancer survivors had persistent symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) for many years after treatment ended
The two immutable truths of cancer survivorship are:
- the short, long-term and late stage side effects from chemotherapy and radiation are more severe and longer lasting than what your oncologist tells you
- collateral damage (side effects) of treatment can be either prevented or reduced if the patient is proactive
My two favorite illustrations of the truths above are my heart damage and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage). I developed chronic A-Fib in the fall of 2010 approximately 15 years after the undergoing the chemotherapy that did the damage. If I knew ahead of time that cytoxan and adiamycin caused heart damage I would have supplemented with omega 3 fatty acids, CoQ10 and vitamin E. Studies have shown these supplements to prevent heart damage from chemo.
While I may not have been able to prevent my CIPN completely I certainly could have reduced the damage done to my lower body.
As the study linked and excerpted below explains almost half of all female cancer survivors will experience CIPN long after they have completed active therapy.
To Learn More about therapy-related nerve damage- click now
I am both a long-term cancer survivor and cancer coach. If you are about to undergo chemotherapy my advice is to begin supplementing with preventative antioxidants now.
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Thanks
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
“Almost half of female cancer survivors had persistent symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) for many years after treatment ended, experiencing functional decline and and high risk of falls regardless of their age, researchers said…
Our findings suggest that CIPN symptoms remain a significant and potentially life-threatening problem for cancer survivors well beyond completion of their chemotherapy and close to the time that many will transition out of oncologic care.
CIPN must be assessed earlier in the clinical pathway, and strategies to limit symptom progression and to improve function must be included in clinical and survivorship care plans…”
