Breast Cancer: Will Chemo Cause Weight Gain?

Oftentimes, women facing chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer will worry about gaining weight. Weight changes will likely occur during chemo; some women may lose weight while others gain. The weight fluctuations are usually quite mild, so they aren't threatening to your health.

Some forms of chemo may directly affect a woman's weight, while other forms may indirectly influence weight fluctuations. Weight fluctuations are considered to be normal; therefore, knowing in advance that you may gain or lose a few pounds should not be a big stressor for you. You have enough to do by staying strong and healthy while taking chemotherapy treatments.

Why do you have weight fluctuations during chemo?

If you are losing weight, it may be due to eating less. When you feel bad, you might not always feel like eating. However, it is important to get some nourishment when you feel you can tolerate food. Sometimes drinking supplemental drinks like Ensure or Glucerna may help to keep from losing weight.

Weight gain can be due to not being active enough. When you don't feel good, you might not exercise as much as you might if you weren't taking chemotherapy.

Some of the medications taken while being treated for cancer tend to slow down metabolism, which will cause weight gain. Steroids tend to cause weight gain; they increase the amount of adipose (fatty) tissues on the body. With steroid use, you will usually gain weight in the face, stomach, shoulder and back areas.

If you tend to gain weight with steroid use, you will likely lose the weight once the steroids are discontinued.

It's also possible that fluid retention is a cause for weight fluctuations.

There are numerous cancer centers located in several areas of Atlanta, including Emory Cancer Institute, Piedmont Cancer Center, and St. Joseph's Cancer Center. Your health care team understands your concerns about the side effects associated with chemotherapy. They will do all they can to support your mind, body and spirit health. Women in Atlanta, just like women everywhere, worry about the possible side effects of chemotherapy. Fluctuations in weight shouldn't have to be one of those worries.

Sources:

Breastcancer.org