The most common type of can be treated with chemotherapy. It is given prior to surgery in order to slow the growth or destroy cancerous cells. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair fall, and anemia. Many people gain weight after . Are you curious why? This article is intended to clarify your doubts, and provide support for women fighting breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness month is a campaign that raises awareness of the most common cancer among women.
According to a study in BMC Medicine, nearly 30 percent of breast cancer patients gain more weight after undergoing chemotherapy.
It is also well known that chemotherapy increases the risk of , and glucose intolerance (a condition similar to prediabetes). However, doctors were not able to understand these processes until recently.
Gut bacteria could be a factor in weight gain
Several studies have shown a link between obesity and the in people who are not cancerous. Dr Ayelet Ayelet, Director of Oncology, Galilee Medical Center, conducted a study in order to determine if the microbiome was also responsible for weight gain among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. She conducted the research with Professor Omry Coren, an expert on gastrointestinal bacteria from the Azrieli School of Medicine at Bar-Ilan University.
The study included 33 women about to start chemotherapy for breast and gynecological tumors. The women were weighed both before and after treatment. Nine women gained weight to an extent that was considered significant (3% or more). Researchers found that these women had a lower diversity of bacteria in their gut and fewer bacterial strains than women who didn’t gain any weight.
The mice that were given the gut microbiota from women who gained weight developed chronic inflammation and glucose intolerance when the bacteria was removed. The researchers concluded that the gut bacteria could be responsible for metabolic changes leading to weight gain after chemotherapy.
The results of the study suggest that the composition and type of bacteria in women’s intestines may also help predict whether they will gain weight after chemotherapy.
Other reasons for weight gain
A significant weight gain is linked to a lower chance of recovering from cancer. Weight gain is caused by chemotherapy during cancer treatment.
It is possible that weight gain after chemotherapy treatment occurs because the body holds on to extra fluid. This condition is called edema. Fatigue, which is a common chemotherapy side effect, can lead to the patient reducing their physical activity. This may result in weight gain.
Chemotherapy patients may experience nausea, which is relieved by eating. Anti-cancer drugs may cause intense food cravings, and can decrease metabolism. Both of these factors are associated with weight gain.
Doctors prescribe steroids to ease nausea and reduce inflammation symptoms during. Steroids can have some side effects. These include an increase in appetite and weight gain (with long-term, continuous use).
