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Managing Weight Loss

When you manage weight loss, you also manage quality of life

In the last issue of Family Ties, you found out what causes cancer-induced weight loss and who are most likely to be affected. In this issue, we will discuss how best to cope with weight loss.

How does cancer cause weight loss occur?

Weight loss due to cancer is different from weight loss due to dieting. Cancer-induced weight loss is caused by changes in the body that result in decreased appetite, burning more calories than normal and increased breakdown of muscle. These symptoms frequently occur in the early stages of following types of cancers: colorectal, esophagus, head and neck, kidney, lung, pancreas and stomach; as well as in the advanced stages of other cancers, such as breast, ovarian, prostate and leukemia.

Cancer produces substances that change the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, causing the body to burn calories faster than they can ordinarily be replaced. Because of these metabolic changes, simply eating or drinking more is not enough to slow down or reverse weight and muscle loss.

Among people with cancer, depression, side effects of treatment, or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract can also worsen the effects of involuntary weight loss.

How does weight loss affect the cancer patient?

A loss of as little as 5% of body weight can adversely affect response to cancer therapy and quality of life. Managing weight loss and rebuilding muscle can give cancer patients more energy for the independence and activities they treasure, such as spending a morning on the beach, fishing, shopping and enjoying time with friends and family.

Not only can cancer cause weight loss, treatment often results in additional physical and psychological eating challenges. Unfortunately, up to 30 to 50% of all cancer deaths are due to weight loss rather than cancer itself¹.

Why is it so important to stop cancer induced weight loss?

If patients continue to lose weight, it can affect their ability to deal with cancer and its treatment. In addition, they may experience the following:

• Start to feel tired and lack the energy to do things they used to do
• Feel weaker and lack the strength to carry out everyday activities
• The dosage of some cancer therapies depend on body weight – so dosage may have to be decreased
• Lower body weight may mean that patients are less able to cope with the side effects of some anti-cancer drugs
• Some patients start to feel depressed or anxious when their bodies start to look different



It is worth noting again that up to 30 to 50% of all cancer deaths are due to weight loss rather than cancer itself¹.




What can be done to prevent or reverse cancer induced weight loss?




Ask your oncologist about the nutritional product specially formulated for people who are either experiencing, or at risk of cancer-induced weight loss. Containing high protein EPA (a beneficial omega-3 fatty acid derived from fish oil), it can help to normalize metabolism and provide additional calories and protein to help patients regain weight and muscle.




1. Palomares MR, Sayre JW, Shekar KC, et al. Gender influence on weight-losing pattern and survival of non-small cell lung carcinoma patients. Cancer 1996;78:2119-2125.




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