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Your safety is our top priority. As you begin or continue cancer treatment, we want to bring special attention to an important part of supporting your well-being and safety: preventing falls.
All people with cancer are at risk of falling. It doesn't matter how fit you are. Cancer, treatment, and its side effects create changes in your body. Those changes might surprise you because you're not expecting them, especially if you’re fit and don’t think of yourself as someone who’s at risk for falling.
If you fall, you have a higher risk for injury because your body is weaker and going through changes. If you get injured, it could extend your time in treatment or lead to an unexpected hospital stay.
Cancer treatments and medications can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, numbness, tingling, burning or sharp pain or weakness in hands and feet (neuropathy), or changes in blood pressure. These symptoms can appear suddenly and make it harder to stay steady on your feet.
Falls often happen in everyday moments—at home, in parking garages, while getting in or out of a car or moving through clinic hallways. After sitting for long treatment sessions, your legs may feel stiff or weak, making the first few steps more challenging.
How to Prevent Falls
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I feel weak?
- Do I feel unsteady?
- Do I think I'm going to fall?
- Have I fallen before?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, pause and check-in with yourself. If you feel weak or unsteady, don’t move. Ask for help.
Other things to do to keep yourself safe:
- Slow down
- Wear secure footwear
- Use assistive devices:
- Cane
- Walker
- Wheelchair
These tools aren’t about giving up independence—they’re about protecting it. One fall can set back treatment, recovery, and your ability to do the things you care about.
Your Care Team Can Help Keep You Safe
We may offer a wheelchair, assist you when you’re walking, or make sure hallways and treatment areas are clear and easy to move through. We also watch for symptoms that can increase your fall risk.
We are committed to partnering with you to prevent injuries and keep your treatment experience as safe as possible. If you have questions about fall prevention, please let us know. We are here to help.
Ask for help from your:
- Caregiver
- Staff member
- Care provider
Other Ways to Prevent Falls
- Sit at the edge of the exam table or chair for a minute before standing.
- Bring a caregiver to help escort you through your appointments.
- Keep shoes on at all times in the clinic, even when on the exam table or bed.
- Wear closed‑toed, closed‑heel, non‑slip footwear.
- Ask for help when you go to the restroom after taking medications because certain medications cause dizziness or unsteadiness.
- Use handrails and benches that are available in reception areas and hallways.
- Get in and out of your car slowly. Use valet service when available.
- Never use an IV pole for support—ask for help if you need to move your IV pole.
- Do not rush, such as when entering an elevator.
- Keep your belongings within easy reach.
- Wear your eyeglasses or hearing aids.
- Bring your walker, cane, wheelchair, or scooter to the clinic with you.
- Some walkers have a seat for resting. Do not move the walker while seated. Use a wheelchair if you need to be seated and pushed.
Floors
- Clear pathways of furniture and clutter. Remove rugs if possible. If not, secure with double sided tape.
- Coil or tape cords against the wall.
Stairs and Steps
- Remove objects from the stairs.
- Fix loose or uneven steps.
- Install overhead lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs.
- Firmly attach carpet to each step.
- Fix loose handrails or add new ones on each side of stairs.
Kitchen
- Move common items to lower shelves.
- Use a step stool with a hand bar. Never use a chair.
Bathrooms
- Use a non-slip rubber mat or self-stick strips on the floor of the tub or shower.
- Install grab bars inside the tub and next to the toilet.
Bedroom
- Place a lamp within reach of the bed.
- Add a night-light by the doorway.
General
- Use furniture with higher seats and armrests. These are easier to sit down and stand up from safely.
- Wear closed-toed, closed-heel, non-slip footwear around the house.
Prevent Falls by Wearing Safe Shoes
The safest shoes for most people are non-slip shoes, such as athletic or canvas sneakers. When they fit well and are tied properly, they provide good support and grip to help keep you steady. Safe shoes should have:
- A firm, closed heel area that supports your foot and helps keep it securely in place.
- Laces or straps (including Velcro and elastic) to keep the shoe snug and prevent it from slipping off.
- A closed toe to protect your foot.
- A thin firm midsole that helps you feel the ground better and walk safely.
- A grippy, non-slip sole with good tread to prevent slipping.
- A wide, slanted heel that gives more contact with the ground for better balance.
