Some people find they do not lose weight during treatment. They may even gain weight.
This is particularly true for those with breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer who are taking
certain medicines or are getting hormone therapy or chemotherapy.
If you notice you are gaining weight, tell your doctor so you can find out what may be
causing this change. Sometimes, you gain weight because certain cancer-fighting drugs
cause your body to hold on to extra fluid. If this is the case, your doctor may ask you to
talk with a registered dietitian for help with limiting the amount of salt you eat. This is
important because salt might cause your body to hold extra water.
Many women with breast cancer gain weight during treatment. Because of this, many of
the recommendations for breast cancer patients include a lower-fat, reduced-calorie diet
much like those suggested for patients after cancer treatment has been completed. If you
have any questions, talk to your health care team about the best diet for you.
Weight gain may also be the result of increased appetite and food intake and decreased
physical activity. If this is the case and you want to stop gaining weight