When you picture someone with cancer, you may assume he's thin, gaunt even. Cancer treatment is certainly hard on the body, as well as on the spirit. And some cancer patients do lose weight during treatment. They get nauseous and don't feel like eating, which results in insufficient calorie consumption. But people undergoing cancer treatment and loved ones of cancer patients may not expect a rather common side effect of some cancer treatments; weight gain, not weight loss.
Cancer Treatments That Cause Weight Gain
Different methods exist to treat all different kinds of cancers, but some in particular are more likely to lead to weight gain. Undergoing hormone therapy can cause you to gain weight, says the National Cancer Institute, or NCI. Chemotherapy treatments and use of steroid medications can also be culprits of added pounds during cancer treatment.
Why Weight Gain Happens
Sometimes these cancer treatments encourage your body to hold onto water and fluids, so you gain water weight, says the NCI. But another common side effect of cancer treatments is extreme fatigue, and when you're exhausted, you probably don't feel much like exercising. Lack of physical activity is another reason why some people pack on extra pounds during cancer treatment. Cancer treatment may also increase your appetite, according to the NCI, increasing your caloric intake at a time when you're not exercising as much and resulting in weight gain.
Concerns About Weight Gain
While it's always important to maintain a healthy body weight, it's particularly important for people to stay fit as they become cancer survivors, especially for women with breast cancer. Gaining weight can affect your ability to recover from breast cancer. Being overweight, even before treatment, also increases the risks of developing other major health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Avoiding Weight Gain
If you're undergoing cancer treatment and noticing that your pants are fitting more snugly, you can take action to avoid putting on excess weight. Cancer.Net suggests working with a registered dietitian to make sure that your body gets the nutrients it needs without consuming too many calories. Eating plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables while limiting the fat and sugar in your diet can help you maintain a healthy body weight throughout your cancer treatment and beyond.
