Cancer and cancer treatments can raise your risk of falling. Falls can cause you to get hurt. If you’re injured, you may need to put off or even stop cancer treatment.
What raises the risk of falling during cancer treatment?
Many common side effects of cancer or cancer treatment can raise your risk of falls:
- Pain
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Numbness in feet
- Loss of appetite
Tell your care team if you have any of these side effects.
How can I prevent falls during cancer treatment?
You can prevent falls by taking simple steps during cancer treatment.
- Ask your care team if you are at risk of falling.
- Talk to your care team about ways to treat side effects.
- Before standing, make sure you aren’t dizzy, weak, or have tingling in your feet.
- Tell your family and caregivers about your risk of falling.
If you have questions about this or other cancer topics, contact the Cancer Learning Center:
- Call us toll-free at 1-888-424-2100
- Email cancerinfo@hci.utah.edu
- Text 801-528-1112