Shanti Devi Shanti Devi Asked 4 months ago

Why do cancer sufferers lose weight?

My neighbour has been diagnosed with cancer and I've noticed she has become very thin. My family is wondering why cancer sufferers generally lose so much weight.

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7 answers

Deepak Sharma Deepak Sharma Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago
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Simple reason hai, bimaari khud body ki energy bahut use karti hai. Aur jo dawaaiyan dete hain, usse bhook nahi lagti, ulti aati hai. Toh khaana kam ho jaata hai aur body kamzor hoti jaati hai. Weight loss is a common side effect.

Meena Devi Meena Devi Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

It's a combination of the disease and treatment. Cancer cells consume a lot of energy, almost like a parasite. Plus, chemotherapy can cause severe nausea, taste changes, and loss of appetite. It's critical to work with a dietician, focusing on nutrient-dense foods, not just any food, to maintain strength. My doctor always says, even small, frequent meals are better.

Anjali Singh Anjali Singh Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

It's a very common but tough part of cancer. The disease itself changes how the body uses energy, making you burn more. On top of that, treatments often cause nausea, vomiting, and make food taste bad, so eating becomes really difficult. It's not about lacking willpower; it's the body reacting to severe stress. Always talk to their doctor about nutritional support.

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Consult a radiation oncologist

Sunita Kapoor Sunita Kapoor Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

This is a serious concern and needs to be monitored closely. The cancer itself drains the body's resources, and the treatments often cause severe appetite loss, nausea, and changes in metabolism. If weight loss is rapid, it's vital to discuss it with the doctor immediately, as it can impact the effectiveness of treatment.

Riya Singh Riya Singh Joined May 2026 4 months ago

It's because the cancer cells actually hijack your body's energy for their own growth, so you're basically burning more calories without even trying. Plus, the treatments often mess with your appetite, causing nausea and taste changes, making it super hard to eat anything. So it's a mix of both.

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Prakash Joshi Prakash Joshi Joined May 2026 4 months ago

Hah, I wish I could lose weight like that, but not this way! Basically, the cancer is like a greedy guest eating up all your resources. Then the treatments make you feel so rotten, you don't even want to look at food. It's a double whammy, poor souls.

Karan Malhotra Karan Malhotra Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

It's multifactorial. Cancer cells consume a lot of the body's calories. Then, chemotherapy and radiation often induce severe nausea, vomiting, and taste alterations, leading to reduced food intake. Plus, metabolism changes. So, significant weight loss is unfortunately expected.

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