Overview

Weight change is a common side effect in cancer treatment and cancer itself. A person may lose weight or gain excess weight while undergoing cancer treatment or as a result of cancer itself.

Why there is weight change in cancer patients

During radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment in cancer patients, one of the most common signs is loss of weight. There could be various reasons for this which includes: –

• Exposure to radiations results in a high breakdown of cells and tissue and there is high ATP usage
• Prolonged chemotherapy and radiotherapy cause loss of appetite
• There are many side effects of cancer treatment such as nausea, vomiting, cramps in the stomach, headache, etc. These symptoms cause loss of appetite in cancer patients.

Weight Gain

Causes of weight gain due to cancer treatment

Some of the reasons for weight gain due to chemotherapy are –

• People undergoing chemotherapy are physically less active
• Certain cancer medicines result in weight gain
• In some people weight gain occurs due to fluid retention
• Steroid in certain chemotherapy increase the fatty tissues

Symptoms of weight gain due to cancer treatment

• Visible changes in weight through the outfits you wear
• Fluid retention on the feet, ankle, and hands

Weight Loss

Causes of weight loss due to cancer treatment

Weight loss due to cancer treatment may occur due to side effects such as –

• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Nausea

Symptoms of weight loss due to cancer treatment

• Drastic loss of weight in few days or within a week

Ways to manage weight change in cancer patients

Causes of weight loss due to cancer treatment

There are various ways to manage weight changes but call your healthcare provider if there is a change of 3 pounds body weight in a week, have a breathing problem, and feels dizzy.

As cancer therapies reduce appetite and weaken the digestive system, it is recommended to have a balanced and nutritious diet.

• Take light and easily digestible food
• Take plenty of fluids, high water content foods, and juices
• Take a protein-rich diet like pulses, meat, egg, soya bean, and other rich sources of proteins.
• If you are facing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, complete appetite loss then you should take a small portion of meals in frequent intervals.
• In addition to diet, it is always beneficial to spare some time for mild physical activities including yoga. This not only helps in improving body weight but also enhances the body’s immune system.
• Keep a record of what you eat and how much you eat
• Increase the calorie intake if there is an appetite problem
• Try to maintain ideal weight

About Mozocare

Mozocare is a medical access platform for hospitals and clinics to assist patients to access the best medical care at affordable prices. It offers medical information, medical treatment, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, laboratory consumables, and other allied services.

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