Weight changes with Breast cancer

Women with breast cancer often complain of weight gain as an undesirable side effect of their treatment. Pre-menopausal women undergoing chemotherapy are at the greatest risk for weight changes.

Many women who have chemotherapy for breast cancer have reported an average weight gain of about 5 to 8 pounds over a year. Some have reported gaining less while others have gained as much as 25 pounds.
What causes weight gain with breast cancer?

One reason for weight gain could be premature menopause brought on by chemotherapy. Menopause makes it easy for you to gain weight. That's because it causes your metabolism to slow down. There is also a change in body composition. Your body gains more body fat and loses lean muscle.

A second reason for weight gain during breast cancer treatment is the use of corticosteroids to help with nausea that often occurs with chemotherapy. These types of drugs can cause an increase in your appetite. In addition, they can cause a redistribution of muscle mass from the extremities into the abdominal area as fat.

Some research suggests that weight gain is also related to lack of exercise. The drop in the level of physical activity may be due to the fatigue, nausea, and pain that come with breast cancer treatment.

Weight gain may also be related to intense food cravings. Some women have cravings that typically involve sweets and carbohydrates during chemotherapy. These foods can cause weight gain, especially when they're not eaten in moderation.

Do other breast cancer medications cause weight gain?

Women treated with steroids for breast cancer may also gain about 2 pounds a year. However, the weight gain usually becomes noticeable after weeks of continuous use.

Steroids are hormonal substances that cause an increase in fatty tissue. The usual result is a fullness of the neck or face and a big belly. Another side effect of steroid medications is loss of muscle mass. That loss of muscle makes weight gain more apparent.

Hormone therapy is another treatment that can cause weight gain. Hormone therapy decreases the amount of estrogen and progesterone in females and testosterone in males. The treatment tends to cause an increase in body fat mass. At the same time, there's a decrease in muscle mass and a change in the way food is metabolised.

Interestingly, weight gain is not typical in women who have undergone surgery alone. The same is true of women who have had surgery followed by radiation.

Can breast cancer treatment cause weight loss?

Yes. Typically, weight loss in breast cancer patients is due to the extreme nausea that is a side effect of chemotherapy, along with a loss of appetite.

specific risks that come with weight gain or weight loss?

Weight gain can increase your risk for developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Being overweight also puts you at risk for developing other types of cancers. Research has also shown that being overweight can raise your risk of recurrence of breast cancer.

Will diet help maintain a healthy weight during breast cancer treatment?

Women receiving chemotherapy should eat a well-balanced diet that consists of fruit, vegetables, dairy products, breads, poultry, fish, and lean meat. A diet low in total and saturated fat can lower your risk of heart disease as well as breast cancer recurrence. Proper nutrition can help you tolerate side effects of chemotherapy as well as fight off infection. Healthy nutrition lets your body rebuild healthy tissues more quickly.

It's important to get enough protein in your diet. This will help build and repair skin, hair, muscles, and organs damaged during the treatment. An added benefit to a protein-rich diet is that it may increase the effectiveness risk
You may also need to drink extra fluids to protect your bladder and kidneys. These organs can be damaged during treatment.

Importance of exercise in breast cancer treatment

Exercise promotes good overall health. But before beginning any exercise program, you should consult your doctor.

Breast cancer patients are often encouraged to exercise. That's because it can reduce the side effects of nausea and fatigue. It can also boost your level of physical energy. One study found that exercise after chemotherapy might boost infection-fighting T cells.

Even moderate amounts of physical activity may help breast cancer survivors live longer. Just three to five hours a week of a moderate physical activity such as walking can decrease your chance of dying of breast cancer.

Strength training is also recommended. It can help rebuild body mass and increase your strength. The loss of lean body mass associated with breast cancer tends to occur in the lower body. So emphasizing that area during strength training can be beneficial. You need to take care when doing heavy weight lifting on the upper body. That's because lymphedema -- arm swelling -- is a common concern during breast cancer treatment.