Cancer is a serious matter that must be dealt with. And unfortunately, treatment for such a lethal disease - chemotherapy - not only kills cancer cells thus preventing them from dividing, but also harms other cells that are normal in the body. It is common knowledge that chemotherapy, though very effective at treating cancer, can leave its weary patients with some side effects.

And the findings of a follow-up study, done by the researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues, are no different. This is because the researchers found that patients who receive chemotherapy for breast cancer experience prolonged fatigue years after their therapy.

And to testify to this side effect, the study's corresponding author, Paul B. Jacobsen, PhD, program leader for Health Outcomes and Behavior at Moffitt, said that fatigue is among the most common symptoms reported by women who are treated for breast cancer.

In their previous study done in 2007, it was found that immediately following treatment, fatigue was greater in women who had received chemotherapy than those who had received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, radiotherapy alone, or in groups with no cancer history.

Unfortunately, their new follow-up study did not dispute chemotherapy's involvement with fatigue. In the follow up study, 205 patients who had received chemotherapy were compared with 193 women in a control group with no history of cancer.

And having compared these groups, they discovered that fatigue did not diminish over time for patients in the chemotherapy group. In fact, Jacobsen said that in some cases, fatigue worsened. Researchers warned that among the possible factors that influence the long-term or worsening fatigue includes weight gain.

However, aside from fatigue, there are numerous other known side effects to chemotherapy. According to Cancer Australia, other common side effects to chemotherapy include:

- Nausea and vomiting

- Hair loss

- Diarrhea or constipation

- Weight gain or loss

- Mouth ulcers and infections

- Skin or nail changes or reactions

- Menopausal symptoms

- Depression or anxiety

- Sexual difficulties

- Nerve and muscle problems

- Swelling in the arms and legs

According to ChemoCare.com, it is important to take action when it comes to both the short and long term side effects of chemotherapy. They pointed out that:

- Some side effects are serious medical conditions that need to be treated

- Some side effects are not damaging to the health

- It is important to discuss side effects with a health care team

- If side effects are worrisome, contact a doctor or a center, preferably where one received treatment

- Most side effects do not do any lasting harm and will gradually go away

- There are very few long term side effects