Everyday the Cancer Information Nurses get articles and news alerts for all sorts of things to do with cancer – new research, study results, promising new treatments, more risk factors for cancer and so on.

As we skim through these articles there is often a ‘gem’ which stands out as being helpful in our practice. A recent article caught my eye firstly for the intriguing title; Sore Lips, a Cinderella Adverse Effect of Chemotherapy, then for the useful information it contained.

The article describes a study at a cancer centre in the UK designed to address the lack of good information about what is helpful for sore lips caused by chemotherapy.

Sore lips are a common side effect of chemotherapy. The drugs affect the rapidly dividing cells in the vermilion border (the pinky-red area on the outside) of the lips causing dryness, cracking, bleeding, fungal infections and cold sores. People often self-medicate for this using lip balms.

The study compared commonly available petroleum-based lip balms with a balm made with only natural products – bees wax, shea butter and natural oils. Although complete data from the study is not available yet, there is enough information from patient interviews to say that natural products give better results.

I phoned a local pharmacist who confirmed there are now good natural products available to buy in retail pharmacies. Check with your nurse or doctor – if you have fungal infections or cold sores you will need a different product. Otherwise if you are having chemo we suggest you ask your pharmacist for a non petroleum-based natural lip balm.

Julie Holt

Cancer Information Nurse