How Does Kidney Cancer Affect Eating?

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1. Diarrhea or constipation.
2. Nausea and vomiting.
3. Changes in smell and taste.
4. Dry mouth or sore mouth.
5. Fatigue.
6. Difficulty to chew and swallow.

As noted before, cancer itself can cause pain. And when  your doctor prescribe pain medicines, some may also affect your eating and appetite.

Depression and anxiety

Again kidney cancer not only affects you physically, but also psychologically. When you know that cancer will become part of your live, you may experience some degree of depression and anxiety. These feelings are normal responses – the most important thing, follow the treatment plan and keep motivated! If necessary, consider taking counseling!

Emotional distress can affect your appetite. When you’re feeling anxious or distressed, you may tend to eat less than usual or even don’t have appetite at all!

Being less active

Getting adequate physical activity is a critical component to keep healthy and stronger. It can help maintain your energy balance and good for your weight control. And it is also linked to hormonal regulation of your appetite.

And the most important thing for patients with cancer, physical activity can help boost recovery after cancer treatment. Unfortunately, many patients are less physically active after a cancer diagnosis. As the cancer progresses and becomes advanced, you are also more likely to become a sedentary individual.

Anemia

As well we know that kidneys are responsible to make and release a hormone called Erythropoietin (EPO) which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Cancer in the kidney may affect this hormone regulation, causing anemia (a condition of when you have fewer red blood cells than normal). And appetite problem is also quite common in people with anemia.

What else?

Other reasons of why and how kidney cancer can affect eating may include:

1. Unpleasant sights or odors.
2. The cancer may also cause difficulty sleeping. And if you cannot sleep as well, your appetite will be affected.
3. A general feeling of unwell due to cancer may also have an effect.

It seems that kidney cancer can affect your eating in several ways. But even though if you don’t feel hungry at all, try to eat! You may find it helps to try eating frequent, small portion meals every 2-3 hours. For more assistance, work together with your healthcare provider /cancer team!