Cancer : Weight Changes, Trouble Swallowing, Menopause Symptoms

by National Cancer Institute

(Page 7 of 16)

Weight Changes

Research shows that some cancer survivors who have had certain kinds of chemotherapy or who have taken certain medicines have problems with weight gain—and the added pounds stay on even when treatment ends. Breast cancer survivors who have had certain types of chemotherapy gain weight in a different way—they may lose muscle and gain fat tissue. Unfortunately, the usual ways people try to lose weight may not work for them.

Some cancer survivors have the opposite problem: they have no desire to eat, and they lose weight. Some men say that weight loss is a bigger concern for them than weight gain. It makes them feel less strong—and like "less of a man."

Getting Help With Weight Gain From Your Doctor or Nurse

Your doctor or nurse can help you deal with weight gain. Ask about:

• Doing strength-building exercises for your arms and shoulders, if you have lost muscle and gained fat tissue
• Talking to a dietitian or nutritionist who can help you plan a healthy diet that won't add extra pounds

Tips: Regaining a Lost Appetite

Here are some tips that have helped others improve their appetites:

Start with small meals. Five small meals a day may be easier to manage than three larger ones. Try to have a smaller breakfast than usual, then have a healthy snack in the middle of the morning.

Focus on favorite foods. If the thought of eating still lacks appeal, try the foods you really liked before treatment. They can help jump-start your appetite.

Pamper yourself. Make mealtime a special time. Even if you only have a nutritional supplement drink, serve it in a chilled glass or mug. Add some fresh fruit, juice, or other flavor boost to make it taste better.

Find ways to make your meals look nice. Choose foods of contrasting colors; serve the meal on a pretty plate; use a colorful napkin.

Trouble Swallowing

Some people who have had radiation therapy or chemotherapy to the head or neck areas may find it hard to eat because they have trouble swallowing. People who have had radiation to the breast or chest or those who have had surgery involving the larynx may also have this problem. As one lung cancer survivor said, "I had a really hard time swallowing and chewing because of the chemo. I just couldn't do it. I lived on soup and soft rice for weeks and weeks."

If you have trouble swallowing:

Eat soft, bland foods moistened with sauces or gravies. Puddings, ice cream, soups, applesauce, and bananas and other soft fruits are nourishing and usually easy to swallow.

Use a blender to process solid foods.

Ask for advice from your health care team, including your doctor, nurse, nutritionist, and/or speech pathologist.

Tilt your head back or move it forward while you are eating.

Have a sip of water every few minutes to help you swallow and talk more easily. Carry a water bottle with you so you always have some handy.

Bowel and Bladder Control

Bowel and bladder problems are among the most upsetting issues people face after cancer treatment. People often feel ashamed or fearful to go out in public. "Going back to work was the hardest thing," one prostate cancer survivor noted. "I felt so foolish having to go to the bathroom all the time. And it was a complete surprise. My doctor never told me I would have this problem."

This loss of control can happen after treatment for bladder, prostate, colon, rectal, ovarian, or other cancers. Your surgery may have left you with no bowel or bladder control at all. Or perhaps you still have some control, but you make lots of sudden trips to the bathroom.

The opposite problem can happen when a medicine you are taking for pain causes constipation.

Getting Help With Bowel and Bladder Control From Your Doctor or Nurse

It is very important to tell your doctor about any changes in your bladder or bowel habits. Ask your doctor or nurse about:

• Help in dealing with ostomies. There are services and support groups to help people deal with these changes.
• Problems with constipation, which can be treated.
• Doing Kegel exercises and other physical training programs.
• Medications that may help.

Menopause Symptoms

After chemotherapy, some women stop getting their periods every month—or stop getting them altogether.

Some cancer treatments (and the medicine tamoxifen) can cause changes in women's bodies and reduce the amount of hormones the body makes. These changes can cause your periods to stop, as well as cause other symptoms of menopause (also called "the change" or "change of life").

Over time, some women will start getting their periods again (this is more likely for younger women), but others will not.

Some common signs of menopause are:

Irregular periods. One of the first signs is a change in your periods. They may become less regular. They could be lighter. Some women have short times of heavy bleeding. Sometimes, they stop all of a sudden.

Hot flashes. Hot flashes are often worse at night and can disrupt sleep. This can cause mood changes and make it hard for you to make decisions.

Problems with your vagina or bladder. Tissues in these areas become drier and thinner. You may be more likely to get infections in your vagina. As you get older, you may also have urinary tract problems or problems holding your urine.

Lack of interest in having sex. These changes may make it hard for you to become sexually aroused.

Fatigue and sleep problems. You may feel tired or have trouble getting to sleep, getting up early, or getting back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night.

Memory problems, and other problems such as depression, mood swings, and irritability. Some of these, especially memory problems, may be related to growing older. There may be a connection between changes in your hormone levels and your emotions.

Other changes in your body. You may notice your waist getting bigger, less muscle and more fat around your body, or thinning and loss of elasticity in your skin.

Getting Help With Menopause Symptoms From Your Doctor or Nurse

See a gynecologist every year. Ask about:

Medicines or supplements or other approaches that can help you manage menopause symptoms

Tests you should have (such as a bone density test to see if you are at risk for osteoporosis)

Ways you can reduce your chance of getting: Osteoporosis. Menopause can put you at risk for losing bone tissue, which can weaken your bones and make them easier to break. Heart Disease. Menopause can also lead to higher cholesterol in your blood, which can increase your risk of diseases that affect your heart and blood vessels.

Tips: Relieving Menopause Symptoms

Here are some tips that have helped others deal with menopause symptoms:

• Quit smoking.
• Exercise—both weight-bearing and muscle strengthening.
• Eat wisely. A balanced diet will provide most of the nutrients and calories your body needs to stay healthy.
• Through exercise and diet, try to maintain a healthy weight.
• Drink plenty of water.

If you are having hot flashes, try making a diary of when they happen and what may start them. This may help you find out what to avoid. Otherwise:

• When a hot flash starts, go somewhere that is cool, or carry a small fan with you.
• Sleep in a cool room; this may keep hot flashes from waking you up during the night.
• Dress in layers that you can take off if you get warm.
• Use cotton sheets, and wear clothing that lets your skin "breathe."
• Try having a cold drink (water or juice) at the beginning of a flash.
• Try not to eat a lot of spicy foods. Limit the alcohol and caffeine you drink.

About the Author

www.nci.nih.gov
The National Cancer Institute's research programs are extensive and contain many innovative initiatives. I invite you to explore our Web site to find out more about the exciting work being conducted here at NCI and by NCI-supported scientists throughout the country.