7 Ways Lung Cancer Can Affect Your Appearance

Cancer treatments like surgery and chemotherapy can change the way your body feels and looks. Hair loss, weight gain, skin changes, and scars are all possible side effects. Some are temporary. Others are permanent. Changes to your appearance could affect your self-esteem, self-confidence, and body image. You might feel different than you did before. A few tips and tools can help you manage these changes.

Chemotherapy kills cells that divide quickly – both cancer cells and hair cells. You may lose some or all of the hair on your head and body, including your eyelashes and eyebrows. Radiation and targeted therapies also cause this side effect, which doctors call alopecia. Hair loss is different for each person. It depends on the type, length, and dose of treatment. Sometimes, hair slowly thins over time. Or it falls out all at once.

Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you. To see it fall out can be upsetting. Usually, hair grows back a few months after treatment ends. In the meantime, you can wear a scarf, wig, or hat to hide hair loss. Some insurance plans and nonprofit organizations cover the cost of wigs. Protect the hair that you do have. Use a gentle shampoo and a soft brush. Avoid heat styling. Don't pull your hair back in a tight ponytail or bun.

It's hard to eat when you don't feel hungry. Chemotherapy side effects like nausea, mouth sores, taste changes, and pain when you swallow can reduce your appetite. If you don't eat enough, you'll lose weight and won't get the calories and nutrients your body needs to heal. Some targeted treatments have the opposite effect. They cause weight gain. Weight changes could have a negative effect on your cancer outlook.

Ask your care team for tips to regain weight you lost. Try to eat foods high in calories, nutrients, and protein. Avocado, dried fruit, eggs, and whole milk are healthy options. If you're not hungry, eat a small meal or snack every few hours instead of three big meals. Try a calorie-rich nutrition supplement drink or sip a smoothie. Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth to get rid of aftertastes and protect yourself from mouth sores.

Scars form as your skin heals from surgery. You might be embarrassed by these visible reminders of your cancer, but they should start to fade in one to three months. In the meantime, you can make them less visible. Massage scars to regrow collagen and help them heal faster. Apply a lotion like shea butter or coconut oil to hydrate your skin. Ask your doctor about shots and laser treatments to improve the look of large scars.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may turn skin dark or red, as if you got sunburn. Dryness and peeling are also common. A rash, itchy skin, redness, and blisters are side effects of targeted and immunotherapy drugs. Your fingernails and toenails may get thin, brittle, discolored, or covered in lines or ridges. To manage these side effects, moisturize your skin daily. Wear sunscreen outside. And keep your nails clean and short.

Almost everyone with cancer feels tired. Fatigue is a side effect of both the cancer and its treatments, and it can be severe. Exhaustion shows on your face. It leaves wrinkles and fine lines, droopy eyelids, and dark circles under your eyes. Conserve energy to fight fatigue. Set aside time each day to nap or rest. Save important tasks for when you feel your best. A nutrient-rich diet and exercise will give you more energy.

Lymphedema is swelling caused by fluid buildup under the skin. It happens when lymph nodes are damaged by radiation or removed during surgery. Lymph fluid backs up, collects under the skin, and makes it swell. Skin feels tight and painful. Some people get lymphedema right after treatment. Others develop it months or years later. If you have lymphedema, be gentle on your skin. Try not to rub or injure the affected area.

It takes time to adjust to changes in your body. Give yourself space to feel sad and time to heal. Do things that make you feel good about yourself. Wear clothes that express your personality. Mix it up with a hat or accessories. Try to stay active – exercise releases chemicals that give you energy, make you feel more confident, and boost your mood. Do things you already love or try something new. Dance. Write a story. Play chess with a friend.

Your treatment team is a good source of advice. They can suggest wigs and other tools to make you more confident in your appearance. Talk to a social worker or other mental health specialist if you need help adjusting. Join a support group to meet other people with lung cancer. When you're around people who understand what you've been through, you feel less alone. People in your support group may also have advice on ways to manage.

Most appearance changes are temporary and not dangerous. A few are more serious. Call your doctor about skin redness, warmth, and drainage. Those could be signs of an infection. Get medical advice if your nails hurt, smell bad, or lift off their beds. Intense fatigue that doesn't improve with rest and sleep is another reason to contact your treatment team. Talk to a mental health provider if your emotional stress lingers.