Although medication often plays an important role in relieving pain related to cancer or cancer treatments, several additional self-care and support options are available. Using a combination of methods is often the most successful approach to pain management. This article describes medication-free ways of relieving pain.

Many people don't know that nearly all cancer pain can be treated or managed. This article describes cancer pain and provides an overview of ways to manage and treat this pain.

People living with cancer often are at a higher risk of infections, such as influenza, or the "flu." This risk is due to cancer and cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which weaken the immune system. The flu is a common, contagious illness that is caused by influenza viruses and affects the respiratory system (the organs involved in breathing).

Cancer and cancer treatments may change your appearance and how you feel about yourself. One resource, the Look Good…Feel Better program, can help you restore your appearance to boost how you feel about yourself.

Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder that occurs when nerves in your body's peripheral nervous system (outside the brain and spinal cord) are damaged. Peripheral nerves carry information back and forth between the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the rest of the body. Depending on which nerves are affected, a patient can develop symptoms related to a change in sensation (numbness, tingling, or pain), muscle function (weakness), and organ function (constipation or dizziness).

Many people look forward to the winter season. But when the temperature drops, people living with cancer need to take some extra health precautions.

Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of fluid (lymph) that causes swelling, usually in the arms and legs. Lymph is the fluid that carries immune cells (mostly lymphocytes) and proteins found in the blood throughout the body. It is similar to a "highway" for your immune system. Lymph nodes are tiny, bean-shaped organs that fight infection. They can be compared to "rest stops" for your immune cells. Sometimes they are also referred to as filters. Any treatment—such as radiation therapy or surgery—that stops or slows the drainage of the lymph nodes under the arm increases the risk of lymphedema. This article discusses lymphedema caused by surgery and/or radiation therapy for breast cancer.

Lymphedema is commonly thought of as swelling of the arm that can occur after breast cancer treatment. However, this condition can affect both men and women who are treated for other types of cancer, as well. Besides the arm, lymphedema most often involves the lower extremity — the leg.