Cancer and sickness (nausea)

Sickness is a very unpleasant feeling. A part of the brain called the vomiting centre controls being sick. Not everyone with cancer feels sick or is sick.

There could be lots of different reasons why you feel sick, including the cancer itself and its treatment.

There are different ways of having anti sickness medicines. This includes having medicines by mouth, into the bloodstream or as an injection just underneath the skin.

There are different types of medicines used to control sickness (nausea and vomiting) in cancer care. It might take some time to find a combination that works for you.

Not everyone will have side effects from anti sickness medicines. Possible side effects include constipation, headaches or feeling drowsy. Possible side effects depend on the medicines you are taking.

Along with anti sickness medication there are other ways to control sickness and make you feel more comfortable.

It is not always possible to cure advanced cancer. But even if your cancer can't be cured, treatment is available to control your sickness and other symptoms.