Cancer and weight

kathydavis6 · April 2019

I have just had an operation to take cancer away and they have put me on hormone ta lets which they say put weight on is there any way i can still lose weight and is there any food i can eat so the cancer will not come back any advice please.

MichelleSilverleaf · April 2019

Without knowing what weight you're at now it's hard to say whether weight loss is appropriate or not. And there is no food that'll prevent cancer, despite what the woo-sters who want your money would rather have you believe.

kathydavis6 · April 2019

Im 13 stone and dont want to put on any more as i should be around 9 stone ,but they say taking hormone tablets are going to put weivht on.

cheryldumais · April 2019

Right now what is important is recovery so I would take the pills but if you eat within your calorie range and log your food you can likely reduce the amount gained. Your body is unlikely to add too much fat if you aren't taking in too many calories. I am not a medical professional so even if I knew what you were taking I couldn't tell you anything more than that. Usually when meds cause weight gain it is either by reducing your metabolism or increasing your appetite. Good luck and I hope you regain your health as soon as possible.

RuthRunner10 · April 2019

I am a cancer survivor and have spent a lot of time learning about best practices post recovery from cancer. Eating whole foods and reducing refined sugar are both things that create a healthier overall diet and can assist with weight loss. I know it can be scary and it is good that you are thinking about lifestyle factors you can control to impact your health in a good way. I am not sure what type of cancer you have, but from what I have learned, most cancers are not caused by one thing. Other lifestyle factors that help - exercise/movement, stress reduction, eliminate alcohol, get enough sleep.

AnnPT77 · April 2019

Are you talking about the estrogen-receptor type hormone medications taken for breast cancer or gynecological cancers? If so, weight gain is not universally a side effect.

I'm an 18+ year survivor of stage III breast cancer. After bilateral mastectomies, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, I took Tamoxifen for 2.5 years then Arimidex for 5 years. Neither caused me to gain weight. I had few side effects of any kind.

Typically, according to research, your best chance of improving long-term survival odds are attaining/maintaining a healthy body weight; getting all-round good nutrition, including plenty of varied, colorful veggies and fruits; getting regular moderate to vigorous exercise; and moderating or eliminating alcohol consumption.

I know it can be really scary at first: Hugs and best wishes!

TanyaHooton · April 2019

Please ask your doctor and/or oncologist for a timeline on your recovery. This should help expectations on when you should focus on rest and recovery vs. focusing on (and finding the energy to) work on your weight. Surgery takes a toll on the body and it takes a while to get back to baseline, particularly if you are also dealing with follow-up medication.

I suggest also asking if there's any specific nutritional needs for you (foods to eat or avoid). If they do not have specific advice regarding nutrition, ask for a referral to a registered dietician who can work out a plan for you that will incorporate your body's history with your current physical needs.

Cancer and weight

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