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Chemotherapy destroys cancer cells because the medicines target rapidly dividing cells. But normal cells in your blood, mouth, intestinal tract, nose, nails, vagina, and hair also divide rapidly. So chemotherapy affects them, too.
The healthy cells in your body can repair the damage that chemotherapy causes — your hair will grow back and your energy levels will rise. But cancer cells can’t repair themselves very well.
The side effects you may have from chemotherapy depend on the regimen you’re on, the amount of medicine you’re getting, the length of treatment, and your general health. The side effects you have may be different from someone else who is on the same regimen.