DIETARY ADVICE FOR CANCER PATIENTS - 2.

LOSS OF APPETITE AND WEIGHT LOSS IN CANCER

The body's metabolism is altered in cancer and loss of appetite is common. These changes may be caused by the body's response to the tumour, side effects of anti-cancer therapy, certain complementary medicines, or a combination of these.

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF APPETITE LOSS

Side effects of the treatment such as nausea, vomiting and changes in taste perception may periodically result in a loss of appetite or difficulty or inability to take in adequate amounts of nutrients. All these symptoms can be caused by the tumour itself.

Worry and stress can also lead to loss of appetite!

Fear of the side effects of the therapy when the tumour is discovered is quite natural. Everyone asks themselves, "Will I feel terrible?" "Will my hair fall out?" "Will I ever be healthy again?" Understanding and properly managing these fears will make it easier for you and your loved ones to cope with the challenges ahead.

THE UNWANTED EFFECT OF LOSS OF APPETITE: WEIGHT LOSS

As a result of the effects mentioned above, some cancer patients have difficulty in consuming sufficient quantities and quality of food, which can lead to dangerous levels of weight loss.

(Your nutritional status can have a significant impact on the outcome of your therapy, so it is very important that you do not lose weight at this time, and maintain your original weight even if you would otherwise like to lose weight. This is not the time to diet!)

Weight loss in cancer is a cellular and almost natural, inevitable process (40-85% of cancers).

However, a loss of 5% of the original body weight can be dangerous and can adversely affect the effectiveness of anti-tumour therapy!

(Compiled by Anna Kiss, dietician)