Yes. There are many ways to manage and treat anemia due to a side effect of chemotherapy. General steps to manage anemia due to chemotherapy include:
• Eating a balanced diet. Consult with your oncologist, oncology nurse, and dietician or nutritionist about dietary recommendations (such as foods rich in iron) and, if suggested, nutritional supplements (such as iron) that are may be especially beneficial for you during your treatment.
• Drinking lots of fluids
• Treating fatigue and performing activities to increase energy (see our Q&A on how to manage fatigue)
• Managing shortness of breath by trying breathing with pursed lips
• Managing dizziness due to changes in posture by getting up slowly after being in either a reclining or sitting position
Some patients with anemia due to a side effect of chemotherapy are treated with the biological medications, Procrit (generic name, epoetin alfa), and Aransep (darboepoetin alfa). Procrit and Aransep are injectable versions of erythropoietin (abbreviated EPO), a molecule that encourages the bone marrow to produce more RBCs.
Furthermore, in some cases, patients with anemia may receive transfusions of RBCs.
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