Many people who are diagnosed with cancer in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Pratapgarh or Bihar already take tablets for sugar, blood pressure, thyroid or the heart. Families often ask our helpline: “Should he keep taking his sugar tablets during chemo?” “Her BP is high; will the operation be postponed?” The answer is that these conditions do not usually stop cancer treatment, but they need extra attention. This guide explains how common long-term illnesses interact with cancer treatment, and what patients and caregivers can do to keep treatment safe and on time.
Book Free OPD: Questions about other illnesses and cancer treatment? Call +91 99307 09000 for free guidance and a same-day appointment with a cancer specialist.
Rule number one: tell every doctor everything
Before any cancer treatment begins, give the oncologist a written list of:
- Every illness you have (sugar, BP, thyroid, heart disease, kidney or liver problems, asthma, TB, epilepsy)
- Every medicine you take, with the dose and timing, including insulin, blood thinners such as aspirin or clopidogrel, and Ayurvedic, homeopathic or home remedies
- Your latest reports: HbA1c, kidney function, ECG, echo, thyroid tests
- The name and phone number of your regular physician or heart doctor
Carry this list to every visit. Do not stop or change any medicine on your own, even if a relative advises it.
Diabetes (sugar)
Cancer treatment can push blood sugar up or down:
- Steroids, often given with chemotherapy to prevent vomiting or allergy, can raise sugar sharply for a day or two.
- Poor appetite, vomiting or mouth sores can make sugar fall too low if tablets or insulin are taken as usual without eating.
- Infections raise sugar, and high sugar slows wound healing after surgery.
What helps:
- Check sugar more often during treatment, especially on chemo days and the two to three days after. Keep a simple record.
- Ask the oncologist and your physician together how to adjust tablets or insulin on days you cannot eat. Do not skip doses on your own.
- Keep glucose tablets, sugar or juice handy. Signs of low sugar are sweating, shaking, confusion and sudden weakness.
- Eat small, regular meals with protein; avoid long gaps.
- Before surgery, the team will aim to bring sugar under good control; tell them your recent readings.
High blood pressure
- Some cancer medicines can raise BP, while dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea can make it fall.
- Keep taking BP tablets as advised, and check BP at home or at a nearby clinic regularly during treatment.
- Tell the team if you feel dizzy when standing, have a severe headache, or BP stays much higher or lower than usual.
- On the morning of surgery, ask the team which BP tablets to take with a sip of water and which to stop.
Heart disease and blood thinners
If you have had a heart attack, a stent, a valve problem or an irregular heartbeat, tell the oncologist at the first visit. Some chemotherapy and targeted medicines can affect the heart, so an ECG or echo may be done before and during treatment. Blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin may need to be paused before a biopsy or surgery, but only on the joint advice of your heart doctor and the cancer team. Never stop them on your own.
Kidney and liver problems
Many cancer medicines are cleared by the kidneys or the liver. If these organs are weak, the doctor may change the dose or choose a different medicine. Drink enough water unless told otherwise, avoid painkillers bought without prescription, and keep every blood test appointment.
Thyroid problems
Keep taking thyroid tablets at the same time every morning. Some newer cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, and radiation to the neck can affect the thyroid, so the doctor may check thyroid tests during and after treatment. Report unusual tiredness, weight change, feeling very cold or hot, or a racing heart.
Asthma, TB and other infections
Tell the team about any past TB, hepatitis B or C, or HIV. Some cancer treatments lower immunity and can make old infections active again, so screening tests may be done first. People with asthma or COPD should bring their inhalers and continue them.
Food and lifestyle when you have more than one illness
- Balance the diabetic or low-salt diet with enough protein and calories for cancer treatment. Avoiding weight loss and weakness matters during chemotherapy, so do not cut food drastically to control sugar; ask the team to guide you.
- Good choices: dal, chana, sattu, paneer, curd, eggs, vegetables, whole grains in small regular portions.
- Stay as active as you can with light walking.
- Stop tobacco and alcohol completely.
Our guide on practical Indian food ideas during treatment has more tips.
Warning signs: contact the team immediately
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or more, especially during chemotherapy (see fever during chemotherapy)
- Sugar above or below the limits your doctor gave you, or drowsiness and confusion
- Chest pain, palpitations, severe breathlessness or fainting
- Very low urine output, swelling of the legs or face
- Severe vomiting or diarrhoea, or inability to drink fluids
Where to get treatment and help nearby
ZenHeal Cancer Hospital in Varanasi and Prayagraj offers cancer consultation, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with an anaesthesia and critical care team that includes Dr. Maithili Thakur (Anaesthesiologist, Critical Care and Medicine). Oncologists include Dr. Amit Kumar Pathak in Varanasi and Dr. Mohommad Aqueel in Prayagraj. Ayushman Bharat is accepted for eligible patients. Details: cancer hospital in Varanasi, ZenHeal Varanasi, cancer hospital in Prayagraj and ZenHeal Prayagraj.
Frequently asked questions
Can I continue my diabetes tablets during chemotherapy?
Usually yes, but doses may need adjustment, especially on days you cannot eat or when steroids are given. Decide this with your oncologist and physician; do not stop on your own.
Why does sugar go up on chemotherapy days?
Steroids given to prevent vomiting or allergy, stress and infections can raise blood sugar for a day or two.
Should I stop aspirin or clopidogrel before a biopsy or surgery?
Only on the joint advice of your heart doctor and the cancer team. Never stop blood thinners on your own.
Can high BP delay cancer surgery?
Very high or uncontrolled BP may need to be controlled first. Keep taking BP tablets and share home readings with the team.
Where can I get advice?
Call +91 99307 09000 for free guidance and a same-day appointment at ZenHeal Varanasi or Prayagraj.
Searching for the “best cancer hospital” near you?
Many families search online for the “best cancer hospital in Varanasi” or the “best cancer hospital in Prayagraj”. More useful than a label are practical checks: medical and surgical oncologists on the team, a day-care chemotherapy unit, access to CT, MRI and PET-CT, Ayushman Bharat acceptance, and doctors who explain the plan in simple language. A second opinion is always reasonable when you are unsure.
How Love Heals Cancer helps
Love Heals Cancer is a non-profit that supports cancer patients and their families. Our helpline is free and runs in Hindi and English:
- Free report review and connection to the right specialist
- Help getting a same-day appointment at a hospital near your district
- Guidance on Ayushman Bharat, Chief Minister relief funds, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi and NGO grants
- Counselling for patients and caregivers
We never ask for OTPs or bank details, and we never promise cures. Our aim is timely, proper treatment for every family. Read more: financial support for cancer patients and healing stories.
Call now: +91 99307 09000 | Book Free OPD | same-day appointment
This guide is for awareness and does not replace your doctor’s advice.
Request a Cancer Counselor Callback
For patients and families across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: for questions about reports, treatment options, costs or the Ayushman card, leave your name and phone number to request a callback from a patient counselor. काउंसलर से कॉलबैक का अनुरोध करने के लिए अपना नाम और फ़ोन नंबर छोड़ें।
Love Heals Cancer is a non-profit. We do not promise cures; treatment is decided by your oncologist. By submitting you agree to be contacted by phone/WhatsApp.
