10 Things to Avoid During Lung Cancer Treatment

Starting treatment for lung cancer can feel overwhelming. There are frequent doctors’ appointments, new medications, and possible side effects to manage — all of which take a toll on your body. While some side effects are unavoidable, knowing what to watch for can keep small problems from becoming bigger ones. Here are some practical tips to help keep your recovery on track.

Breathing in cigarette smoke or vape vapors — even secondhand — harms your lungs. Breathing these substances in temporarily stops the tiny hairs in your airways (called cilia) from working properly. These hairs help clear out germs and other harmful particles. Smoke can also damage the air sacs that move oxygen into your blood. The chemicals in cigarettes affect your blood vessels, cells, tissues, and immune system, too. Because many lung cancer treatments already weaken your immune system, smoking can slow down healing and make getting an infection more likely. If you do smoke, try to quit, and stay away from places where others are smoking whenever possible.

Even though many vitamins and herbal supplements are labeled as “natural,” they aren’t always safe. Some — like antioxidants and fish oil — can affect how well chemotherapy or radiation works. Others, including echinacea, may make some treatment side effects worse. Unlike medications, supplements aren’t tightly regulated, so they may also have hidden or inconsistent ingredients. In some cases, vitamins can be helpful during cancer treatment, especially if you can’t eat normally. But always check with your doctor before taking one.

Cancer treatment puts extra stress on your body — especially your liver, which processes many chemotherapy drugs. Since the liver also processes alcohol, drinking puts even more strain on this organ. Alcohol can make some treatment side effects worse, like nausea caused by dehydration and mouth sore irritation. It’s best to stick to non-alcoholic beverages during treatment. But if you choose to have a drink for a special occasion, avoid alcohol right before, during, and after chemotherapy.

What you eat during cancer treatment can make a big difference in how you feel. Since some treatments can weaken your immune system, it’s important to stay away from foods that may carry harmful bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, or listeria. That means skipping raw fish, soft-cooked eggs, unpasteurized cheese or milk, and unwashed fruits and vegetables. Cooking at home is often safer because you have more control over how your food is prepared. If you do eat out, ask for meat to be cooked well-done and eat early to avoid crowds. Also, stay away from salad bars, buffets, and sidewalk vendors, since these options may be more likely to carry germs.

Your immune system is more vulnerable during cancer treatment, so food safety is especially important. When dealing with leftovers, refrigerate them within two hours of cooking and try to eat them within three days. The longer they sit, the more likely they are to grow harmful bacteria. If you can’t eat them in time, freeze them right away or throw them out. When reheating, make sure to stir the food so that there are no cold spots and heat it to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If your leftovers are frozen, thaw them in the fridge or microwave — and don’t refreeze after thawing.

Some foods can make cancer treatment side effects worse. Chemotherapy, for example, can cause mouth and throat sores. Spicy or acidic foods — including fruit juices — can make them more painful. It’s also a good idea to limit processed and fried foods, which may cause inflammation. Over the long term, inflammation may affect your body's ability to fight off cancer cells and could even support tumor growth. Choosing whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, whenever possible can help your body feel better during treatment.

Some lung cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. It’s important to be cautious when you’re outside. Try to stay in the shade whenever you can, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest. Use sunscreen and reapply it regularly — usually every two hours. Wearing protective clothing, like hats and long-sleeved shirts, can also help — especially over areas where you’ve had radiation.

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatments, affecting more than 80% of people. You may feel exhausted, weak, and emotionally or mentally drained, even after you rest. There are things you can do to help manage the symptoms, like cutting back on caffeine, eating healthy foods, and practicing other self-care strategies. But it’s also important to listen to your body and rest when you need to. That might mean taking short naps throughout the day or saving your energy for your most important tasks.

Lung cancer treatments can cause side effects that make symptoms like pain, coughing, or shortness of breath feel worse. Some symptoms are expected — especially later in treatment — but it’s important to tell your doctor about any new or worsening ones so they can figure out what’s causing them and adjust your medications or care plan as needed. Ignoring symptoms usually makes the problem worse before it gets better.

Navigating life with lung cancer can bring up a lot of emotions. It’s normal to feel anxious, sad, or overwhelmed. But taking care of your mental health can be just as important as looking after your physical health. If feelings of fear, sadness, or loneliness don’t go away — or if you notice other changes, like trouble sleeping or losing interest in things you used to enjoy — talk to your doctor. They can connect you with a mental health counselor or a cancer support group to help you better cope with your diagnosis.