Cancer Australia

• Treatments for secondary breast cancer such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy (less common with taxane chemotherapy)
• Nervousness before the next cycle of chemotherapy (anticipatory vomiting)
• Drugs for pain or symptom relief
• Hypercalcaemia
• Cancer in the brain or liver
• A blocked bowel (bowel obstruction)

• Depends on the cause of the sickness
• Treatment with drugs called anti-emetics
• Treatment with drugs called steroids
• Diet modification
• Relaxation

Tips to help prevent nausea and vomiting

The following tips are based on the experience of health professionals and women themselves:

• have frequent small meals instead of bigger main meals
• avoid fatty or fried foods
• rest before and after eating
• don’t lie down during or after eating
• make sure you drink enough fluids
• see a dietitian for advice about what you should eat
• do some relaxation training – this can be particularly helpful if nausea is caused by nervousness.