The founder and lead surgeon of Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology talks about coping.

Lewisville, TX – Anyone who has faced down a diagnosis of cancer and the treatments that typically follow is well aware appetite is something that is likely to wane during the battle ahead. Anorexia and cachexia are common side effects in two particular instances: during active treatment and in end-stage cancer. Knowing that appetite suffers, however, doesn’t necessarily make coping any easier for family members.

“When a loved one with cancer refuses to eat or fails to eat much, the development can be very distressing for family,” explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at Lewisville Flower Mound Oncology. “It is not uncommon for family members to fear the person will become sicker from a lack of nutrition. Often worse is the concern the person has given up.”

Overcoming appetite concerns in end-stage cancer can be difficult, if not impossible. For people suffering from appetite-related issues due to treatments, however, there are ways to cope. Dr. Echt recommends patients and their families take the following steps to ensure proper nutrition during treatments:

• Speak with the doctor – Healthcare professionals may be able to offer medications to ease nausea and other appetite-suppressing symptoms related to treatments. They may also suggest supplements to help keep nutrient levels steady despite lack of appetite.
• Consider smaller meals – Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help cancer patients obtain the nutrients they need without overtaxing their digestive systems. It is often better to plan larger meals in the morning when people undergoing treatments tend to tolerate food more readily.
• Keep it low pressure – Pressuring loved ones to eat can create stress, which may strain the appetite more.
• Try different foods – Chemotherapy, for example, can make foods that were once favorites taste strange. With that in mind, it is recommended people try different foods to arrive at those that are most appetizing under the circumstances. When selecting foods, shoot for those that are packed with nutrients, if possible.

“Appetite loss does go hand-in-hand with cancer,” says Dr. Echt. “There are strategies patients and their families can try to help make certain nutritional concerns are addressed.”

About Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group
The Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group has state-of-the-art facilities that offer individualized care to patients throughout North Texas. With a team of expert oncologists and other specialists on staff, the Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group treats a variety of cancers and blood disorders with an eye towards the newest advancements available in diagnostic technology and treatments.