Coping with cancer side-effects
On top of the symptoms caused by cancer itself, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can cause side-effects that make it more difficult to eat normally and absorb what you need from food. Our advice, recipes and lifestyle tips can help you cope with cancer and cancer treatment.
Weight loss
Cancer can change your appetite and alter how your body uses nutrients
Loss of appetite
Worrying about your cancer can make it harder to think about food
Diarrhoea
It may be best to eat little and often rather than have three main meals
Wind
Some foods make you pass wind more often, which can be uncomfortable
Feeling sick
Some people find that ginger or peppermint helps settle their stomach
Mouth problems
Adapt your favourite foods to make them as soft and moist as possible
Taste changes
Food may taste bland or metallic but this side-effect is often temporary
Infections
Your immune system may not work as well as it did before your treatment
