How Cancer Treatments
Can Affect Eating
- All the methods of treating cancer-surgery, radiation
therapy, chemotherapy, and biological
therapy (sometimes called immunotherapy)-can cause side effects.
Although treatments target the cancer cells in your child's body, they sometimes
can damage normal, healthy cells at the same time. This may produce side
effects that cause eating problems. (See "How
Cancer Treatments Can Affect Appetite,") The side effects may reduce
your child's ability or desire to eat.
- Side effects of cancer treatment vary from patient to patient. What
happens depends on the part of the body being treated, length of treatment,
and type of treatment. Ask your doctor about how treatment may affect your
child's eating habits.
- Not all cancer patients have side effects during treatment, and most
side effects go away when treatment ends. Your child's doctor will try to
plan a treatment that keeps side effects to a minimum.
- The emotional side of cancer treatment also may affect your child's
eating habits. When children are upset, worried, or afraid, they may have
eating problems. Loss of appetite and nausea are two normal responses to
feeling nervous or fearful. Such problems should last only a short time.
- While your child is in the hospital, the health care team can help you
plan the foods to serve at home. They also can help with physical or emotional
eating problems. Feel free to talk to them if problems arise during your
child's recovery as well. Ask them what has worked for other children.
- The good news is that even children with eating problems have days when
eating is a pleasure. With your understanding and a positive approach, your
child can get the nutrition needed.