Lung Cancer-Home Treatment
During treatment for any stage of lung cancer, there are steps you can take at home to manage some symptoms and side effects. Be sure to follow any instructions your doctor has given you.
Other issues you may be able to handle at home include:
Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Treatment by Stage
After your lung cancer is diagnosed, the doctor will run tests to find out the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This process is called staging. Knowing the stage of your disease is crucial because it will help you and your doctor choose the best course of treatment.Here’s a look at the options for each stage. Keep in mind that no one can say for sure how your cancer will respond. Every person is different, and so is every cancer. Your doctor will make...
Read the Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Treatment by Stage article > >
If you smoke and have lung cancer, quitting smoking will make your treatment more effective and may help you live longer. Smoking delays healing after surgery, so you may have a better recovery from lung cancer surgery if you have quit smoking.
People with early-stage lung cancer who continue to smoke during radiation therapy have been shown to have shorter survival times than those who do not smoke.8
Smoking may also make chemotherapy less effective. The nicotine in tobacco seems to help the cancer cells and their blood supply multiply while also protecting the cancer cells from destruction.9
For information and help quitting smoking, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
- Home treatment for nausea or vomitingHome treatment for nausea or vomiting includes watching for and treating early signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, sticky saliva, and reduced urine output with dark yellow urine.
- Home treatment for diarrheaHome treatment for diarrhea includes resting your stomach and being alert for signs of dehydration.
- Home treatment for constipationHome treatment for constipation includes gentle exercise along with adequate intake of fluids and a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
- Home treatment for fatigueHome treatment for fatigue includes making sure you get extra rest while you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation.
- Home treatment for painHome treatment for pain includes heat and cold packs and learning how to distract yourself from the pain.
- Home treatment for a sore mouthHome treatment for a sore mouth includes avoiding certain foods and rinsing with mouthwash or an antacid.
- Home treatment for sleep problemsHome treatment for sleep problems includes having a regular bedtime and avoiding caffeine late in the day.
Other issues you may be able to handle at home include:
Recommended Related to Lung Cancer
Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Treatment by Stage
After your lung cancer is diagnosed, the doctor will run tests to find out the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This process is called staging. Knowing the stage of your disease is crucial because it will help you and your doctor choose the best course of treatment.Here’s a look at the options for each stage. Keep in mind that no one can say for sure how your cancer will respond. Every person is different, and so is every cancer. Your doctor will make...
Read the Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Treatment by Stage article > >
- Loss of appetite or difficulty eating. Eating several small meals throughout the day or eating soft, bland foods may help if you do not have an appetite or if certain foods are difficult to eat.
- Coughing. You may have an ongoing cough or develop a severe cough. Your doctor can recommend some nonprescription cough medicines or prescribe some medicines to help relieve your symptoms.
Quit smoking
If you smoke and have lung cancer, quitting smoking will make your treatment more effective and may help you live longer. Smoking delays healing after surgery, so you may have a better recovery from lung cancer surgery if you have quit smoking.
People with early-stage lung cancer who continue to smoke during radiation therapy have been shown to have shorter survival times than those who do not smoke.8
Smoking may also make chemotherapy less effective. The nicotine in tobacco seems to help the cancer cells and their blood supply multiply while also protecting the cancer cells from destruction.9
For information and help quitting smoking, see the topic Quitting Smoking.