Late effects are side effects that:
- begin during or shortly after treatment and do not go away within 6 months – they can become permanent and are sometimes called long-term effects
- do not affect you during treatment but begin months or even years after your treatment ends.
Late effects can sound worrying. But for some people, late effects may not affect daily life much. Other people may have to slightly adapt their lifestyle. But there is a lot that can be done to help manage late effects. If you notice any new symptoms, or symptoms that get worse, tell your treatment team.
Your doctor or nurse can tell you whether you are likely to have any late effects from treatment. This will depend on which type of cancer you had, which treatments you had and what age you were.
Our late effect factsheets give information about specific long-term side effects after having had cancer treatment as a child, teenager or young adult.
The factsheets have been written by clinical experts who specialise in looking after young cancer survivors. The hospital team at your follow-up clinic will help you with specific information about which late effects are relevant to you.
The following late effect factsheets will help you to understand more about how you can stay healthy throughout your life:
- Adrenal insufficiency: When your body does not make enough cortisol hormone
- Bone health: Osteonecrosis and osteoradionecrosis
- Bone health: Osteoporosis
- Breast cancer risk
- Eye issues
- Female reproductive health
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Growth issues
- Health and wellbeing
- Hearing loss
- Heart issues
- Kidney health
- Lung issues
- Lung issues: After bleomycin treatment
- Male reproductive health
- Metabolic syndrome
- The nervous system: Autonomic
- Oral health
- Pituitary gland
- Puberty: Females
- Puberty: Males
- Skin and sun protection
- Spleen: When it has been removed or is not working properly
- Thyroid gland
Order or download a late effects factsheet
All of our late effect factsheets are downloadable, or you can order physical copies.