← Back
Nutrition and daily life

Weight loss: when to worry and what to do

Weight loss is common during treatment, and it can be muscle as well as fat. This affects strength, how well you tolerate treatment and resistance to infection. This section explains how to track weight and what to do.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Eggs, cheese and yogurt beside a scale.
Figure 1.Weight and a protein breakfast.

01Short answer

Weigh yourself once a week at the same time and write it down. Tell your team about losing more than 5% of your weight in a month, or rapid loss. Protein at every meal, energy-dense snacks and enriched dishes help. A dietitian can offer nutrition drinks and, if needed, tube or intravenous feeding. Gentle movement, when possible, protects muscle.

02Simple explanation

Weigh yourself weekly.

Lost over 5%? Tell us.

Protein at every meal.

Movement protects muscle.

03Scientific explanation

ESPEN: nutritional risk in people with cancer should be checked regularly, and nutrition support should start early when weight loss is found.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

How much protein?

General guidance suggests more than 1 g of protein per kg of body weight a day; your doctor and dietitian set your amount.

A belt and trousers on a chair.
Figure 2.A change in body size.

Nutrition support

If you cannot eat enough by mouth, tube or intravenous feeding can help for a while.

Food models on a dietitian’s desk.
Figure 3.Seeing a dietitian — Weight loss: when to worry and what to do

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
How much protein?General guidance suggests more than 1 g of protein per kg of body weight a day; your doctor and dietitian set your amount.
Nutrition supportIf you cannot eat enough by mouth, tube or intravenous feeding can help for a while.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Cachexia
Loss of muscle and weight caused by illness.
Tube feeding
Giving nutrition into the stomach through a tube.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Track your weight.
  • Speak up early.
  • Protein and movement.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Isn’t losing a little weight good?

During treatment weight loss is often muscle loss and causes weakness.

Is a feeding tube frightening?

It is temporary help; your team will explain the benefit.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Isn’t losing a little weight good?

  2. Is a feeding tube frightening?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  2. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  4. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  5. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source. Types of Fat
  6. British Dietetic Association. Fat: Food Fact Sheet
  7. British Dietetic Association. Omega-3: Food Fact Sheet
  8. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Dietary Fiber
  9. NHS. How to get more fibre into your diet
  10. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — The Nutrition Source. Fiber
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →