Chemotherapy can reduce the bone marrow’s ability to make red blood cells which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When there are too few red blood cells, body tissues do not get enough oxygen to do their work. This condition is called anemia. Anemia can make you feel short of breath, very weak, and tired. Be sure to call your doctor if you’re feeling fatigued, dizzy or faint, short of breath, your heart "pounding" very fast, or any other symptoms not listed.
Your doctor will often check your blood count during your treatment. If your counts are too low, he or she may prescribe medicine to boost the growth of your red blood cells. Discuss with your doctor if you become anemic often. If your red blood count falls too low, you may need a blood transfusion or medicine called erythropoietin to raise the number of red cells in your body.
Things you can do if you are anemic:
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