ANOREXIA

WHAT IS ANOREXIA? WHAT CAUSES IT?

• Anorexia, or loss of appetite is a common problem in people with cancer.

• Certain types of cancer can affect your metabolism, especially ovarian, pancreatic, and stomach cancers.

• Side effects from your cancer treatment may also affect your appetite including mouth sores, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, pain and difficulty swallowing.

• Some medications can alter your appetite by affecting your metabolism too.

Make sure you tell your doctor if you are having any of these problems.

WHAT WILL ANOREXIA DO TO ME?

• Losing your appetite may cause you to eat less, not feel hungry at all, or feel full after eating small amounts.

• A persistently poor appetite can lead to weight loss and malnutrition, and this can affect your ability to tolerate your treatment.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT ANOREXIA?

• Weight loss in people with cancer is a combination of losing fat and lean muscle mass; therefore, it takes more than just eating to fix the problem.

• Your doctor may recommend nutritional supplements or other medications to stimulate your appetite.

• Here are some tips to help you eat better and gain weight during cancer treatment:

˚ Add cold, sour, or acidic foods to diet.

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