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Feeling dizzy or unsteady is a common experience for people living with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment. These symptoms can happen for many reasons: 

  • Side effects of cancer treatments or other medications
  • Changes in blood pressure 
  • Fatigue
  • Dehydration
  • Inner ear problems
  • Stress and anxiety 

If you are having SACT (systemic anti cancer therapy) you team may have told you to be aware of ototoxicity.

This is where a medication can affect the inner ear and cause problems with hearing or balance.

Some medications used to treat cancer (particularly platinum based chemotherapy) have the potential to affect your hearing or balance. It doesn’t happen to everyone, and it is often mild or temporary.

If you experience ringing in your ears (tinnitus), dizziness, unsteadiness or changes to your hearing, either where sounds feel muffled or you have hearing loss, please let your health care team know.

It is tempting to assume that any new symptoms are caused by cancer or its treatment. However, dizziness or balance problems often have other causes, many of which are treatable and respond well to exercise and movement.

It is worth telling your GP or cancer team if you develop new or worsening dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance.

Common causes of dizziness 

Dizziness on standing 

If you feel lightheaded or dizzy when standing up, this may be related to a drop in blood pressure when changing position. 

Your healthcare professional may check your blood pressure while lying down and then standing to identify if this is the problem and offer appropriate advice.  

Brief spinning sensations when moving 

If you get short episodes of spinning dizziness (vertigo), especially when lying down, turning over in bed, or looking up, this could be due to a common inner ear condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

These episodes usually last less than a minute and can be treated with simple physical manoeuvres.  

Ongoing or persistent symptoms 

Dizziness or balance problems that persist, recur, or interfere with daily life should be assessed.

Your healthcare team may arrange further tests or refer you to a specialist, such as an ear, balance, or neurology service, to help identify the cause and guide treatment.  

When to seek urgent help 

Seek urgent medical attention if you develop: 

  • Sudden, continuous spinning that doesn’t improve even when still, with nausea or vomiting 
  • Sudden severe difficulty walking or standing 
  • Sudden severe hearing loss

These symptoms may need immediate assessment. 

General advice 

  • Stay hydrated: Unless you have been advised to limit your fluid intake, try to drink plenty of water. 
  • Eat regularly: To prevent dips in your blood sugar that can make dizziness worse, try to eat regularly. 
  • Check your medications: Some medications can cause dizziness, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about this. 
  • Use support: Holding onto handrails or using a walking aid can support balance. 
  • ‘Fall proof’ your home: Remove clutter and loose rugs that may be trip hazards. This guide provides more information get_up_and_go_0.pdf