Constipation or diarrhoea

Some chemotherapy drugs, pain medicines and anti-nausea drugs can cause constipation or diarrhoea. Tell your doctor or nurse if your bowel habits have changed.

Learn more about managing:

• Constipation
• Diarrhoea

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Constipation

• Eat more high-fibre foods, such as wholegrain bread and pasta, bran, fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes (e.g. baked beans or lentils).
• Drink plenty of fluids, both warm and cold, to help loosen the bowels. Prune, apple or pear juice can work well.
• Do some light exercise, such as walking.
• Ask your doctor about using a laxative, stool softener and/or fibre supplement.
• Avoid enemas or suppositories as they may cause infection.
• Let your treatment team know if you have constipation for more than a couple of days. They will be able to help.

Diarrhoea

• Choose bland foods such as clear broth or boiled rice. Avoid spicy foods, wholegrain products, fatty or fried foods, rich sauces, and raw fruits or vegetables with skins or seeds.
• Limit alcohol, fruit juice, soft drinks, strong tea or coffee, and dairy products, as these stimulate the bowel.
• Drink water to help replace fluids lost through diarrhoea.
• Talk to your cancer care team – they may change the treatment or suggest other solutions, such as using over-the-counter medicines.
• If diarrhoea is severe, let your cancer care team know. It can cause dehydration and you may need to go to hospital.