Coping with cancer - looking and feeling your best


Definition

Cancer treatment can affect the way you look. It can change your hair, skin, nails, and weight. These changes often do not last after treatment ends. But during treatment, it can make you feel down about yourself.

Whether you are a man or woman, taking time to look and feel your best may help boost your mood. Here are some grooming and lifestyle tips that can help you feel your best during cancer treatment.

Keep a Routine

Stick with your regular daily grooming habits. Comb and fix your hair, shave, brush your teeth, wash your face, put on makeup, and change into something you did not sleep in, even if it is a fresh pair of pajamas. Doing so will help you feel more in control and ready for the day.

Care for Your Hair

Hair loss is one of the most visible side effects of cancer treatment. Not everyone loses their hair during chemotherapy or radiation. Your hair might get thinner and more delicate. Either way, here are some things you can do.

Care for Your Skin

Your skin may become sensitive and delicate during treatment. If your skin gets very itchy or breaks out into a rash, call your health care provider. Otherwise, here are some things you can do to take care of your skin.

Care for Your Mouth

Small cuts in your mouth can become painful during chemo or radiation. If mouth sores get infected, they can hurt and make it hard to eat or drink. But, there are ways you can keep your mouth healthy.

Care for Your Nails

Your nails often become dry and brittle during treatment. They may pull away from the bed, get darker in color, and develop ridges. These changes will not last but may take quite some time to go away. Try these tips to keep your nails looking better.

Also be careful about what you put on your nails.

Your Clothes

Your weight may change during cancer treatment. Some people lose weight and some people gain weight. You might have a surgical scar you do not want to show. The best clothes will be comfortable, fit loosely, and make you feel good. Even a new pair of fun pajamas can brighten your day.

Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) -- lookgoodfeelbetter.org/ is a website that offers additional tips for both men and women to help you feel good about your appearance during cancer treatment.

References

American Cancer Society website. Look good feel better. www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/741.00.pdf. Accessed January 18, 2023.

Matthews NH, Moustafa F, Kaskas N, Robinson-Bostom L, Pappas-Taffer L. Dermatologic toxicities of anticancer therapy. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 41.

National Cancer Institute website. Side effects of cancer treatment. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects. Updated August 9, 2018. Accessed January 18, 2023.


Review Date: 10/25/2022
Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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