Cancer Center

Anemia and Chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of chemotherapy and the amount given. Anticipating and managing side effects can help to minimize them and provide the best possible experience for the person receiving chemotherapy.

Anemia and chemotherapy:

As each person''s individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so is his/her reaction to treatment. Side effects may be severe, mild, or absent. Be sure to discuss with your cancer care team any/all possible side effects of treatment before the treatment begins.

Red blood cells (RBCs) carry oxygen to other cells throughout your body. Chemotherapy can damage your body’s ability to make RBCs, so body tissues do not get enough oxygen, a condition called anemia. People who have anemia may feel short of breath, very weak or tired, dizzy, faint, or short of breath, or may feel that their hearts are beating very fast. Consult your physician immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

You will be given frequent tests to measure your hemoglobin and hematocrit during your therapy. If these measurements are low, you may be given a medication that can boost the growth of your red blood cells. If your blood is too low in red blood cells, you may need a blood transfusion or a medication called erythropoietin (also called EPO) to raise the number of red blood cells in your body.

What can I do if I am anemic?

Consider the following strategies to help manage anemia and fatigue:

Plan time to rest during the day.

Take short naps or breaks.

Limit your activities to those that are most important.

Try easier or shorter versions of activities you enjoy.

Take short walks or do light exercise, if possible.

Consider activities such as meditation, prayer, yoga, guided imagery, or visualization.

Eat as well as you can in small amounts at a time. Drink plenty of fluids.

Join a support group. Your physician can help you find a support group in your area.

Limit caffeine and alcohol.

Ask for help with daily responsibilities.

Talk to your physician regarding ways to conserve your energy and reduce fatigue.

Report any changes in energy level to your physician.

Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Programs at
Rush University Medical Center in Chicago

At Rush, we offer a range of standard and investigational therapies for the treatment of cancer. We have more than a dozen programs specializing in the treatment of specific cancers, including:

Bone Cancer
Brain Cancer
Breast Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Gynecological Cancers
Head and Neck Cancers
Hematological Malignancies
(cancers of the blood and lymph system)
Leukemia
Lung Cancer
Lymphoma
Myeloma
Orthopedic Cancers
Prostate Cancer
Radiation Oncology
Skin Cancers

Rush cancer programs are approved by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Only one in four hospitals that treat cancer receive this special approval.

Click here to visit the home page for Cancer Programs at Rush.

Cancer Screening and Prevention
Cancer screening and prevention are priorities at Rush. Through genetic testing, counseling and advanced techniques for early detection, Rush helps people with a strong history of breast, ovarian, colon and other cancers. And in our state-of-the-art mammography center, we have one of the city’s finest teams of radiologists dedicated to early detection of breast cancer.

Cancer Support Programs at Rush
Cancer is not only a physical ordeal, it is also an emotional one, affecting cancer patients, their family and friends. To help address the whole person, we offer a number of resources to help patients and their loved ones cope in this difficult time.

For information on the cancer support programs at Rush click here.

Clinical Trials
Rush offers a number of clinical trials of experimental cancer treatments. Use the links below to search for studies for a particular form of cancer. If you are interested in exploring your eligibility for one of our open trials, please call (312) 942-8312. If we do not list trials for a particular type of cancer, please feel free to call us to discuss other treatment options.

For information on cancer clinical trial programs at Rush click here.

Find a Specialist at Rush
To find a cancer specialist at Rush, click on one of the following links:

To find specialist at Rush in other cancer-related areas, click on one of the following links:

Or make an appointment with a doctor at Rush by calling our toll-free physician referral number:

(888) 352-RUSH.

To reach the hospital operator, call (312) 942-5000. If you have difficulty hearing, call (312) 942-2207 (TTY/TTD).