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Cancer therapeutics, including operations, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy can have a very strong impact on you. Although they are targeted at cancer cells, your healthy cells are also influenced. Healthy cells, such as cells in your hair, mouth or digestive organs, are supposed to develop quickly and divide, and are affected by cancer treatment. This negative impact on healthy cells can lead to unpleasant side effects, thereby disturbing your eating.
At the same time, you may become upset, worried, scared or otherwise emotionally unstable, which also forms a barrier to eating. It is a normal reaction to suffer loss of appetite, nausea or irritability, when you have fear. Once the treatment starts, you will be able to expect what happens to you, and what reaction you show to it. This expectation will help you improve any meal problems caused by the fear.
Cancer side effects vary patient by patient. The occurrence of side effects differs according to which body part you need to have treatment for, what type of treatment will be provided for how long, and how intense the treatment will be.
However, not all cancer patients experience side effects, and most of the effects disappear once the treatment completes. Side effects may also be controlled by drugs. Talk to your doctor about your treatment and possible side effects.
While you are hospitalized or undergoing treatment, consult your doctor, nurses and/or nutritionists, and ask questions about meals, snacks and foods most suitable for you. They will also tell you how you can address any eating problems. You can also ask about any problems that might also occur after the treatment finishes. Hearing about ways other patients deal with their problems will also help you.
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