The path to recovery from breast cancer comes with an array of challenges. Side effects from treatment can range from short-term fatigue (extreme tiredness) and hair loss to long-term heart issues. Each treatment plan — whether it’s surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, radiation, or a combination of these — can lead to a different set of side effects.

Everyone’s experience is different. Your age, overall health, and genetic background all play a role in what you might face after completing treatment. Just as genetic risk factors can influence your chance of developing breast cancer, they can also shape how your body responds to treatment. Understanding these side effects, in both the short and long term, is key to managing your journey toward recovery.

Some breast cancer treatments carry a higher risk of causing serious side effects than others. For this reason, there are established guidelines about which breast cancer treatments should be tried first and when more aggressive treatments are appropriate. Doctors make treatment recommendations based on the type and stage of breast cancer.

With any breast cancer treatment, the likelihood of serious side effects must be weighed against the risk that the cancer may continue to advance and become life-threatening.

What Happens After Breast Cancer Treatment?

After you complete breast cancer treatment, you will continue to follow up with your care team. Your doctors will likely ask about any symptoms you may be experiencing and they may run tests to check your overall health. During this time, you may experience side effects.

The side effects you might experience depend on the type of cancer treatment you receive. For example, side effects of radiation treatment for breast cancer may include fatigue, skin irritation, and breast soreness. Chemotherapy treatment is more likely to cause hair loss, fatigue, mouth sores, metallic taste, and loss of appetite. After breast cancer surgery, side effects may include nerve pain, sensitivity near the surgical site, lymphedema (swelling from lymph fluid buildup), and nausea. Some side effects are temporary, while others may be chronic or even permanent.

Short-Term Side Effects of Breast Cancer Therapy

Many potential side effects of breast cancer treatment are likely to resolve in the weeks or months following the completion of treatment. Short-term side effects may include:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
• Metallic taste
• Loss of appetite
• Skin irritation similar to sunburn with radiation therapy
• Changes to the nails
• Increased risk of infection
• Mouth and throat sores
• Cognitive problems, known as “chemo brain” or “cog fog”
• Muscle pain
• Reduction in arm mobility
• Burning pain or numbness in your fingers or toes
• Anemia and leukopenia (a drop in your number of red and white blood cells)

Be sure to talk with your health care team about any new or worsening side effects. They’ll talk you through all your options for relieving or managing your symptoms most effectively.

Long-Term and Late Effects of Breast Cancer Therapy

Long-term side effects (or chronic side effects) typically start during your treatment but persist even after your treatment is over. Late side effects are those that happen after your treatment ends. They can happen months or even years after you finish treatment. Some side effects of breast cancer treatment can be permanent.

Some long-term and late side effects of breast cancer therapy may include:

• Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest (called cancer-related fatigue)
• Problems with your bowel or bladder
• Problems with sleep
• Numbness or nerve pain due to nerve damage
• Early menopause and infertility in younger women
• Lymphedema
• Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) that can lead to fractures
• Damage to the heart muscle or lungs
• Hearing or vision changes
• Challenges with sexuality and intimacy
• Depression, anxiety, or other forms of mental distress
• Hormone problems
• Increased risk of developing another type of cancer

Managing the Side Effects of Treatment

Everyone’s journey is unique. It’s important to work closely with your health care team to monitor and manage side effects both during and after treatment. The strategies for managing your side effects will depend on the type of treatment you received. Some treatments, such as hormone therapy and targeted therapy, can continue for years and may require ongoing monitoring.

Regular follow-up appointments are critical for catching long-term side effects early, addressing new symptoms, and improving your overall quality of life. Whether you’re dealing with short-term discomfort or managing the long-term effects of treatment, your health care team will play an important role in guiding you through each step of recovery.

Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments and communicate with your health care team often. That way, they can monitor all your symptoms and come up with a post-treatment plan that works for you.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyBCTeam is the social network for people with breast cancer and their loved ones. On MyBCTeam, more than 74,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with breast cancer.

What side effects have you experienced from breast cancer treatment? How have you managed the side effects? Share your experiences in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.