Can Chemo Make You Gain Weight?
Updated March 07, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
A reader recently emailed me her anonymous concern that, "Chemo is making me fat!" Although it is more common with hormone-related cancers such as breast or prostate cancer, the side effects of any cancer treatment can, but infrequently do lead to weight gain. Most people associate cancer with significant weight loss -- so moving up to the next dress or pant size might be an unwelcome surprise if you were at a healthy weight prior to chemotherapy and radiation.
Gaining weight is not a viable reason to stop treatment. Losing too much weight, however, might be a viable reason to reassess whether or not you are tolerating the cancer treatment. If you have concerns that you are obese, overweight or at the upper end of normal you may want to talk with your doctor about ways to safely reduce your weight after colon cancer treatment.
However tempting they may be, crash diets or diets that significantly restrict your intake are not such a great idea during cancer treatment. Your body is fighting to maintain health and restricting nutrients can potentially impact your treatment success. For instance, diets that restrict the amount of fresh fruits and carbohydrates you eat unnecessarily restrict the macronutrients, healthy vitamins, minerals and natural sugars that your body craves for energy. Also, a sudden drop in body weight when you have cancer is not desirable. Your doctor may mistake this weight loss for disease progression or intolerance to the chemotherapy drugs.
Treatment Fatigue
One reason why people without hormone-related cancers might gain weight is due to the effects of treatment fatigue, although weight gain is unlikely. Chemotherapy, radiation and even the cancer itself can leech your energy and make you feel exhausted. This lack of energy leads to increased time sleeping and resting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Try to conserve what energy you do have and make time to exercise daily -- even if it's for only a few minutes. You can work up to the suggested regiment of 150 minutes per week encouraged by the American Cancer Society.
Chemotherapy frequently has the undesirable side effect of altering your taste and appetite. Healthy foods that used to appeal to you may no longer taste good. Many survivors complain that fresh fruits and some canned vegetables have a metallic taste. Whatever the reason, your treatment can impact your appetite and food choices. Similarly, some people turn to junk foods for comfort. The occasional sweet or salty snack shouldn't be a problem unless you make a habit of eating comfort foods.
You may also notice that friends, family and loved ones are constantly pushing food at you. This stems from the mindset that a person undergoing cancer treatment is going to get extremely thin and unwell -- but this is not always the case. Learn how to politely decline offers of food and talk openly with your loved ones. Although they are just trying to care for you in the only way they know, the constant forcing of food can get overwhelming.
Sources:
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: Answers to Common Questions. Accessed online December 25, 2013.
Szafranski, M.(2012). Weight Gain During Cancer Treatment. American Cancer Society Expert Voices. Accessed December 26, 2013.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
A reader recently emailed me her anonymous concern that, "Chemo is making me fat!" Although it is more common with hormone-related cancers such as breast or prostate cancer, the side effects of any cancer treatment can, but infrequently do lead to weight gain. Most people associate cancer with significant weight loss -- so moving up to the next dress or pant size might be an unwelcome surprise if you were at a healthy weight prior to chemotherapy and radiation.
Don't Abandon Treatment
Gaining weight is not a viable reason to stop treatment. Losing too much weight, however, might be a viable reason to reassess whether or not you are tolerating the cancer treatment. If you have concerns that you are obese, overweight or at the upper end of normal you may want to talk with your doctor about ways to safely reduce your weight after colon cancer treatment.
Avoid Restrictive Diets
However tempting they may be, crash diets or diets that significantly restrict your intake are not such a great idea during cancer treatment. Your body is fighting to maintain health and restricting nutrients can potentially impact your treatment success. For instance, diets that restrict the amount of fresh fruits and carbohydrates you eat unnecessarily restrict the macronutrients, healthy vitamins, minerals and natural sugars that your body craves for energy. Also, a sudden drop in body weight when you have cancer is not desirable. Your doctor may mistake this weight loss for disease progression or intolerance to the chemotherapy drugs.
Treatment Fatigue
One reason why people without hormone-related cancers might gain weight is due to the effects of treatment fatigue, although weight gain is unlikely. Chemotherapy, radiation and even the cancer itself can leech your energy and make you feel exhausted. This lack of energy leads to increased time sleeping and resting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Try to conserve what energy you do have and make time to exercise daily -- even if it's for only a few minutes. You can work up to the suggested regiment of 150 minutes per week encouraged by the American Cancer Society.
Changing Appetite
Chemotherapy frequently has the undesirable side effect of altering your taste and appetite. Healthy foods that used to appeal to you may no longer taste good. Many survivors complain that fresh fruits and some canned vegetables have a metallic taste. Whatever the reason, your treatment can impact your appetite and food choices. Similarly, some people turn to junk foods for comfort. The occasional sweet or salty snack shouldn't be a problem unless you make a habit of eating comfort foods.
You may also notice that friends, family and loved ones are constantly pushing food at you. This stems from the mindset that a person undergoing cancer treatment is going to get extremely thin and unwell -- but this is not always the case. Learn how to politely decline offers of food and talk openly with your loved ones. Although they are just trying to care for you in the only way they know, the constant forcing of food can get overwhelming.
Sources:
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: Answers to Common Questions. Accessed online December 25, 2013.
Szafranski, M.(2012). Weight Gain During Cancer Treatment. American Cancer Society Expert Voices. Accessed December 26, 2013.
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