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Chemotherapy

12-minute read

Key facts

Chemotherapy (or 'chemo') uses medicines to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy can be used by itself to treat cancer, or together with other types of treatment, such as surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
Chemotherapy may also damage healthy cells, causing a range of side effects.
Side effects can often be managed with medicines and other strategies suggested by your medical team.
The type, dose and length of chemotherapy treatment will depend on the type and stage of cancer, your general health and your treatment goals.

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy (also known as 'chemo') is the use of medicines to treat cancer.

Your body is made up of billions of small building blocks called cells. Your body's cells divide to make new cells. When you are healthy, this process of division is tightly controlled and only takes place when needed — for example, to replace damaged or old cells. If your cells begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way, you may develop a cancer.

Chemotherapy medicines are designed to target cancer cells that are dividing too quickly. These medicines can destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing and spreading.

What are the benefits of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is often used as the main treatment for many different types of cancer.

Chemotherapy medicines can destroy cancer cells completely or reduce the size and spread of a tumour.

Chemotherapy may be used to treat cancer in a few different ways:

Curative chemotherapy aims to destroy the cancer completely. It may be used on its own, or together with surgery or other treatments.
Palliative chemotherapy is not usually meant to cure cancer. It can be used to reduce cancer size, which can improve symptoms, or to limit the growth and spread of the cancer. This kind of chemotherapy may be used for months or years.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be used before surgery to shrink the cancer and make the surgery more effective.
Adjuvant chemotherapy is used after other cancer treatments (such as surgery and radiotherapy) to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.

Chemotherapy can also be used together with cancer immunotherapy.

What does chemotherapy involve?

Chemotherapy involves taking anti-cancer medicines, sometimes as a combination of medicines. Chemotherapy can be given as a single treatment or over several days to months.

Your doctor or oncologist will decide the best treatment plan for you based on:

the type of cancer
the chemotherapy medicines being used
how often and the dose of medicine used

How are chemotherapy medicines given?

Chemotherapy is often given through a vein (intravenously or IV). If this is the case, it will often be given at a day hospital or day treatment centre. Sometimes, it can also be given at home. You can usually go home between sessions. Sessions may last from 20 minutes to several hours. It depends on the kind of chemotherapy you are getting and how you feel during and after treatment.

If the medicine needs to be given for only a short time, it can be given through a small plastic tube (cannula) inserted into a vein, usually in your hand or arm.

If you need to receive IV treatment for longer, your doctor or oncologist may suggest using a device that can stay in place for weeks or months. This saves you from getting a new IV line every time you receive chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy can also be given in other ways — for example, as tablets, a cream, or an injection into a specific body area, depending on the type of cancer.

How can I prepare myself for chemotherapy?

Your doctor or oncologist will help you to prepare for chemotherapy treatment by explaining what to expect and what tests you'll need. They will perform certain tests before, during and after treatment, including:

blood tests
height and weight measurements
organ function tests

There may also be practical arrangements for you and your carers to make before your treatment.

Chemotherapy medicines can remain in your body for about one week after each treatment session. During this time, very small amounts of chemotherapy medicines may be in your body fluids.

To protect people who you are in close contact with at home:

sit down when using the toilet and flush twice with the lid down
store any chemotherapy medicines safely
it's safest for people without cancer to avoid touching the medicines

During chemotherapy, it's also important to have safe sex (use condoms) and avoid pregnancy.

Usually, there is little risk to your visitors. This is because they are unlikely to come into contact with chemotherapy medicines or body fluids.

Safety advice for carers of people having chemotherapy

If you are caring for, or in close contact with, someone having chemotherapy, there are some precautions you can take, including:

wear disposable waterproof gloves when touching anything with body fluids on it
dispose of used gloves and cleaning products in a sealed plastic bag
make sure all utensils, toilets and items are washed thoroughly with soap and water

How soon will I recover?

Chemotherapy is usually given in 'cycles' to give your body time to recover. For example, 2 weeks of treatment followed by a 2-week break. This is because chemotherapy medicines are toxic to both cancer cells and healthy cells. They are given in smaller doses to help limit damage to your healthy cells.

You may need blood tests or scans between treatment cycles. This is to check how the cancer is responding and to make sure your body has recovered enough to cope with the next cycle of chemotherapy.

Your medical team may adjust your treatment plan based on how you feel and on your test results.

How long will I need chemotherapy?

The specific type, dose and length of your chemotherapy will depend on:

the type and stage of your cancer
your general health
the purpose of the chemotherapy
how your cancer responds to treatment
any side effects you experience

What complications can happen?

Chemotherapy uses powerful medicines that can sometimes cause complications. These may include problems with thinking or movement, damage to blood vessels in the brain and a weakened immune system.

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Everyone responds differently to chemotherapy. You may experience many or a few side effects and feel them strongly or only mildly.

People on chemotherapy most often feel fatigued (tired).

As chemotherapy affects fast-growing cells, it commonly causes side effects in your skin, hair, gut and immune system. This can affect how well your body can fight off infections.

Side effects can include:

hair loss (alopecia)
nausea and vomiting
diarrhoea or constipation
mouth sores
frequent infections

Some chemotherapy medicines can have a higher chance of damaging specific areas of your body, such as your:

These effects may be temporary or permanent. Ask your doctor about the medicines recommended for you and any specific effects that they may have on your body.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What can I do to help with the side effects?

There are many medicines and strategies that can help ease your side effects. For example:

your doctor can prescribe medicines to help with nausea
ice chips can help soothe a sore mouth
cold caps may help reduce hair loss

Your medical team can give you detailed advice on what's available to help keep you comfortable during treatment.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Will chemotherapy affect my fertility?

Chemotherapy can affect fertility by damaging the cells in your reproductive organs, such as eggs or sperm. Sometimes these cells recover months or years after chemotherapy, but sometimes the damage is permanent.

Chemotherapy may also affect your menstrual cycle (your period). Your periods can become irregular or stop completely while you are receiving treatment. Your cycle may return a few months after you stop chemotherapy, but it can sometimes stop permanently, causing early menopause. This makes it impossible to conceive naturally.

Some people choose to take steps to preserve their fertility before starting cancer treatment. These steps can include freezing eggs, sperm or embryos, or more complex treatments. You may wish to discuss fertility preservation with your medical team before you start any cancer treatments. Your options will depend on:

the cancer you have
the treatment suggested by your doctor

Despite this, it is important to realise that you may still be fertile while undergoing cancer treatment. It is important to use contraception during this period.

Chemotherapy may be harmful to an unborn baby, who has many fast-growing cells, so you may also wish to discuss contraception with your doctor before starting treatment.

Are there alternatives to chemotherapy?

Different cancers and people respond differently to treatment. Alternative treatments to chemotherapy include:

Sometimes, different treatments are used together. If one treatment does not work, your oncologist may recommend another approach.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

What will happen if I decide not to have the chemotherapy or it is delayed?

Diagnosing and starting cancer treatment as early as possible can improve treatment success and survival rates. However, it is your choice whether to delay or not have chemotherapy. Your doctor will discuss your options with you.

Resources and support

Dealing with cancer and cancer treatment can feel very overwhelming. There are many organisations that can help with information and support.

Cancer Council has information about cancer and cancer treatment, as well as support and services for people with cancer — call 13 11 20. They also have a guide on understanding chemotherapy for people with cancer and their carers.

The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has information on what to expect during chemotherapy, possible side effects and keeping safe in your home.

Children and teenagers

Canteen is a cancer support network for 12 to 25-year-olds, and their families and carers.
Camp Quality supports kids (aged 0 to 15 years) dealing with cancer.
healthdirect has information on dealing with childhood cancer.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

Cancer Council NSW provides cancer information in different languages.
Cancer Australia offers cancer resources in languages other than English.
eviQ provides factsheets about chemotherapy treatments in a range of other languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Cancer Council offers resources and support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Cancer Australia provides resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Our Mob and Cancer provides information about cancer treatments and living with cancer.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: October 2025

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Early Menopause – Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy | Fact Sheet | Australasian Menopause Society Hub

Download: Early Menopause – Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy | Fact Sheet MAIN POINTSChemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer and other conditions can cause temporary or permanent loss of your menstrual periods and menopause.Before the age of 40, this is known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).Between the ages of 40 and 45, this is known as early menopause.Early menopause and POI can cause infertility and have short- and long-term health consequences such as heart disease, osteoporosis and memory problems.Some women who have chemotherapy remain fertile, so it is important to use contraception if you do not want to become pregnant or if your doctor advises you that it is not safe to become pregnant.Speak with your doctor about treatments and other options to manage any infertility and long-term health consequences.Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer and other conditions can cause temporary or permanent loss of your menstrual periods, which can lead to menopause and infertility.If this occurs before the age of 40, it is known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and between the ages of 40 and 45, it is known as early menopause. POI and early menopause can also happen for other reasons (see AMS fact sheet – Menopause before 40 and premature ovarian insufficiency).Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be toxic to the ovariesChemotherapy or radiation therapy can cause early menopause because these treatments are toxic to the ovaries, especially when used at high doses to treat cancer. Whole-body radiation therapy and radiation in the pelvic area are more likely to affect your ovaries. At birth, ovaries contain one million immature eggs (primordial follicles). The number of eggs naturally decreases until, at menopause, less than 1000 eggs remain. When chemotherapy or radiation therapy damages the ovaries, women can have fewer remaining immature eggs and/or the immature eggs are unable to mature. Loss of your period after chemotherapy or radiation therapy can either be temporary or permanent. If your period returns, that does not necessarily mean that your fertility returns.Risk factors for entering early menopauseThe likelihood of entering POI or early menopause after chemotherapy or radiation therapy increases:with increasing agewhen there are fewer eggs in the ovaries before treatment startswith higher doses of chemotherapy or radiationwith radiation therapy of the whole body or pelvic areawith some types of chemotherapywhen doses of chemotherapy and radiation are given together.Symptoms and health consequences of POI and early menopauseThe signs, symptoms and health consequences of POI and early menopause after chemotherapy and radiation therapy include: missing your period or having infrequent periods – an early symptom of POI or early menopausemenopausal symptoms (either with or without your period) includinghot flushesmood changesproblems sleepingaching jointsdry vagina or poor lubrication during sexual arousal.psychological distress and increased risk of anxiety and depression because of:a diagnosis of cancer or severe medical illnesstreatment with chemotherapy/radiotherapy and the related longterm consequencesinfertility – women often feel confused, sad, old before their time and have mixed feelings about other women’s pregnancies.short and long-term health risks – infertility, osteoporosis and heart disease.Diagnosis of POI and early menopausePOI and early menopause are difficult to diagnose and the process can take many months. This can be a very stressful time and women should speak with their healthcare team for support and management options. Criteria for a diagnosis of POI or early menopause include:more than four months without a periodfollicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the menopausal range on two occasions at least 4–6 weeks apart.Managing fertility issuesChemotherapy and radiation therapy might affect your fertility. Thinking about whether you will be able to have children and preserving your fertility can be overwhelming, especially when added to the stress of a diagnosis of cancer or other serious illness. Speak with your healthcare team and get the support you need. If losing fertility is a possibility, your doctor might be able to suggest options to try to preserve your ability to have children. Monthly injections with a gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue during chemotherapy may help to preserve ovarian function. The most effective option is to have your eggs or embryos frozen before you begin treatment. Some women who have chemotherapy remain fertile, so it is important to use contraception if you do not want to become pregnant or if your doctor advises it is not safe to become pregnant. Some types of contraception are not safe for women with certain cancers or illnesses so talk to your doctor about what is best for you. For those who have developed POI or early menopause, some women choose to live a childfree life, while others adopt or foster children.Treatment of POI and early menopauseWomen with POI/early menopause should discuss with their doctor the possibility of using hormone therapy. In women more than 50 years of age, hormone therapy is called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). In women who are aged less than 50, the same hormone therapy can be called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because the treatment is replacing the hormones that the ovaries would be producing if you hadn’t had chemotherapy or radiation therapy.If you choose to use HRT, your doctor might advise you to continue this treatment until the typical age of menopause (51 years).HRT options include:oestrogen tablets, patches, gels and topical vaginal treatments – if you have had a hysterectomy (see AMS fact sheet – What is MHT and is it safe?)oestrogen plus progesterone – if you have not had a hysterectomycombined oral contraceptive pill as a replacement hormone – if you have no significant risk factors (such as risk of blood clotting, past blood clots or if you are a current smoker).Oestrogen therapy is not suited to everyone and is best avoided if you have breast or endometrial cancer. Your doctor can suggest non-hormonal options to help manage hot flushes and other symptoms. If contraception is required, hormonal options include the oral contraceptive pill or an intrauterine device plus oestrogen (usually as a patch or gel). If your doctor does not recommend hormones for your situation, discuss non-hormonal contraceptive options.Managing health risks associated with POI and early menopauseAdopting healthy lifestyle changes (see AMS fact sheets – Lifestyle and behaviour changes for menopausal symptoms and Weight management and healthy ageing) can reduce the risk of some of the health impacts associated with POI and early menopause. These health impacts include:osteoporosis or bone losscardiovascular/heart diseaselearning and memory disturbancesemotional issues.It is widely known that regular physical activity, a healthy diet and healthy sleep patterns can improve these problems, no matter what the cause. In addition, regular check-ups (including blood tests and bone scans) with your doctor can help you to manage your health.OsteoporosisOsteoporosis in women with POI and early menopause can be caused by:low levels of oestrogenlow levels of calcium in the dietsmokinglow levels of physical and weight-bearing activitysome types of chemotherapy and medications.In addition to lifestyle changes (quitting smoking, engaging in regular weight-bearing activities, and ensuring adequate dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D) women should have regular bone density scans every one or two years. Use of HRT can also help to maintain bone density.Cardiovascular or heart diseasePOI and early menopause can result in an earlier increase in the risk of heart disease in women.Taking HRT early and continuing treatment until the age of a natural menopause (50–55 years) can reduce the risk of heart disease. A healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups for high blood pressure, diabetes and fats in the blood will help you manage your heart health.Learning and memory problemsThere is evidence that chemotherapy can cause memory problems, but there is limited evidence that low levels of oestrogen affect memory.Taking HRT early and continuing treatment until the age of a natural menopause (51 years) might reduce the risk of learning and memory problems.Emotional issuesIn addition to a diagnosis of cancer (or severe medical illness) requiring chemotherapy/radiation therapy, women also have to cope with possible infertility and other long-term health impacts.It is only natural to feel distressed and some women might have anxiety and depression. Women often feel confused, sad, old before their time and have mixed feelings about other women’s pregnancies. Psychological counselling can ease this distress. Support from the woman’s partner, family and friends is also important.Support groupsIn addition to the support of family, friends and a healthcare team, some women find it useful to talk to other women in the same situation. Available support groups include:ACCESS Australia (Australia’s National Infertility Network) – www.access.org.auCancer Australia – www.cancer.org.auThe Daisy Network Premature Menopause Support Group – www.daisynetwork.orgNew Zealand Early Menopause support group - www.earlymenopause.org.nzWhere can you find more information?If your symptoms are bothering you or you feel you need more support, your doctor can help. Your doctor can tell you about the changes in your body and offer options to manage your symptoms. Other fact sheets about treatment options include:Menopause before 40 and premature ovarian insufficiencyWhat is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and is it safe?9 myths and misunderstandings about Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)Non-hormonal treatment options for menopausal symptomsComplementary medicine options for menopausal symptomsLifestyle and behaviour changes for menopausal symptomsWeight management and healthy ageingPOI/ Early menopause and osteoporosisThe Healthtalk Australia Early Menopause online resource contains women’s stories, information, question prompt list and links to services: https://healthtalkaustralia.org/early-menopause-experiences-and-perspectives-of-women-and-health-professionals/If you have any concerns or questions about options to manage your menopausal symptoms, visit your doctor or go to the Find an AMS Member service on the AMS website.

Read more on Australasian Menopause Society website

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