Patients may gain or lose weight during adjuvant chemotherapy. One reason is that chemotherapy can cause fatigue, which decreases your activity level and causes you to burn fewer calories. Also, people over eat at times when they are not nauseated to compensate for times when they are or because they are fearful of losing weight. The healthiest way to control your weight during chemotherapy is to add or subtract servings of healthy, nutrition-rich foods depending on whether you are gaining or losing weight.
Certain medications and their side effects may result in weight loss. Mouth sores may make it difficult to maintain good eating habits; nausea may decrease appetite.
Self-Care Measure:
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Maintain a moderate exercise or activity level.
- Consult a dietitian/nutritionist.
When chemotherapy is completed, it is easier to maintain weight or lose pounds.
