Side effects are physical issues that can happen when breast cancer treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. While the list of possible side effects can feel overwhelming, not everyone will experience every side effect.

There are many different types of side effects. Some can be short-term, while others last longer or continue through time.

Ongoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer tends to heighten risk for some side effects. Sometimes, side effects grow slowly over time. Others may happen more quickly, be more severe, or take longer to go away with each cycle of treatment.

Side effects can be distressing, but there are many ways to prevent and manage them. Talking openly with your providers can help.

In this section, we’ll guide you through:

• Different side effects
• Treatments that can trigger them
• The chances of certain side effects happening and when they may happen
• How to recognize and describe side effects
• How to start a conversation with your doctor or nurse about side effects
• Ways to possibly reduce the risk of side effects
• How to manage side effects if they happen

For more details about what you can find in this section, you can read the navigation below and on the left.

Information about common side effects

Visit the pages below to learn more about specific side effects of metastatic breast cancer treatment and ways to manage them.

• Bone Health and MBC
• Bone Pain and MBC
• Chemobrain
• Depression and Anxiety and MBC
• Hair Loss and MBC
• Hand-Foot Syndrome and MBC
• Heart Health and MBC
• Insomnia and Fatigue and MBC
• Menopausal Symptoms and MBC
• Mouth Sores and MBC
• Nail and Skin Changes and MBC
• Nausea and Vomiting and MBC
• Neuropathy and MBC
• Neutropenia and MBC
• Pain and MBC
• Sexual Side Effects

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