Download Anemia

PATIENT INFO SHEET
ANEMIA
Red Blood Cells:
There are three main types of cells in your blood: white blood cells, red
blood cells and platelets. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which
carries oxygen to the tissues in the body. Oxygen is needed to produce
energy. Lowered red blood cell counts may be caused by the cancer, by
the chemotherapy, and/or radiation treatments (which can affect the bone
marrow, where the red blood cells are made). When there are not enough
red blood cells or hemoglobin, this is called ANEMIA.
How to know if you are anemic (if your hemoglobin level is low):
To confirm if you are anemic, a blood sample will be taken to measure the
amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. A low hemoglobin count will
indicate anemia. Normally, the hemoglobin count will be 120g/L or higher,
but it may drop as low as 80g/L to 100g/L without serious harm during
chemotherapy. Signs of anemia, which might occur if your red blood cells
are low, include:
 Feeling tired or weak. (Most common)
 Feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Possibly, a headache.
 Mental confusion
 Trouble breathing, shortness of breath.
 Pale skin colour.
 Pain in your chest, and/or rapid heartbeat.
 Ringing or pounding in your ears.
 Sensitivity to cold temperatures.
 Sore mouth or tongue.
What should you do if you notice any of these symptoms:
If you have some of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor or
nurse as soon as possible. You may need to have your hemoglobin level
checked. You may need a transfusion of red blood cells or you may need
medications that help rebuild the supply of red blood cells to correct the
anemia.
For more information on anemia, please call the Cancer Centre
pharmacist, or your doctor or nurse.
Anemia
WHEN YOU HAVE ANEMIA:
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO
 Get plenty of rest.
 Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery if you
are feeling faint or lightheaded, or if you feel sleepy.
 Keep activity times short with rest periods in between.
 Avoid heavy or strenuous work or exercise.
 Avoid or limit the use of alcohol
 Eat a well-balanced diet. Include green leafy
vegetables, ground beef and liver in your diet, if
possible (these are sources of iron and B vitamins,
important for red blood cells).
 When sitting or standing up, take plenty of time to
change position. Getting up quickly can cause or
worsen a lightheaded or faint feeling.
Prepared by the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre- Patient Education Committee, in cooperation with the staff and patients at HRCC and other Cancer Centres; Revised
by the Cancer Care Ontario-Professional Pharmacy Advisory Committee- Medication Information Sheets Working Group.
Revised: Sept 2014