Many individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment and survivors experience weight gain. While breast cancer itself typically does not directly lead to this weight increase, the therapies used to treat the disease often play a significant role.
The Link Between Breast Cancer and Weight Gain
For most breast cancer patients, weight gain is a real and often distressing side effect, primarily linked to the therapies used to treat the disease. Cancer and its treatments can indirectly affect the body’s metabolism, making it more challenging to maintain a stable weight.
How Treatments Contribute to Weight Gain
Various breast cancer treatments can lead to weight gain through several mechanisms.
Hormonal therapies, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, are a common cause of weight gain. These treatments alter hormone levels, which can affect metabolism and fat distribution. Aromatase inhibitors, for instance, lower estrogen levels, which can lead to changes in body composition, including decreased muscle mass and increased fat mass, particularly around the abdomen. Tamoxifen, while its direct link to weight gain is mixed in research, can paradoxically act like estrogen in some cells, potentially leading to weight gain and other menopausal symptoms.
Chemotherapy can also contribute to weight gain in multiple ways. It may induce early menopause, which slows metabolism and makes weight management more difficult. Chemotherapy side effects like fatigue, nausea, and changes in taste can alter eating habits and reduce physical activity. Some individuals might also experience fluid retention as a side effect of chemotherapy.
Steroids, often administered with chemotherapy to manage nausea and other side effects, can significantly increase appetite and lead to fluid retention. These medications can also cause an increase in fatty tissue, with fat deposition often occurring in the face, neck, and abdomen, while potentially reducing muscle mass.
Reduced physical activity is another common factor. Treatment-related side effects such as fatigue, pain, and nausea can significantly lower a patient’s energy levels, making it difficult to maintain regular exercise routines. This decrease in calorie expenditure, combined with potential changes in diet, can result in weight gain.
Emotional and lifestyle factors also play a role. The stress, anxiety, and emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis and treatment can lead to comfort eating or changes in dietary patterns. Some individuals might develop intense cravings for sweets and carbohydrates during chemotherapy, further contributing to weight gain.
Strategies for Managing Weight
Healthy eating is important for managing weight during and after breast cancer treatment. This includes consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, which provide fiber to promote fullness. Opting for lean proteins and low-fat dairy products also supports a balanced diet.
Regular physical activity is beneficial. Engaging in activities like walking, yoga, or light strength training can help combat fatigue and improve overall well-being. Starting slowly and gradually increasing activity levels is a safe approach, with a general goal of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Adequate hydration helps manage treatment side effects like nausea and fatigue. Drinking sufficient water supports the body’s detoxification processes and maintains energy levels.
Prioritizing good sleep can impact metabolism and appetite-regulating hormones, making weight management easier. Stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or joining support groups can help manage emotional eating triggers and improve coping mechanisms.
Discussing weight concerns with the healthcare team, including oncologists and dietitians, allows for personalized advice and referrals to specialized programs.
The Importance of Weight Management for Recovery
Weight management is important for breast cancer survivors, impacting overall health outcomes. Excess weight, particularly obesity, is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and can elevate the risk of developing new cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight can help mitigate this risk.
A healthy weight also reduces the risk of other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which are concerns for cancer survivors. Individuals treated for breast cancer are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders compared to those without a cancer history.
A healthy weight can help manage or lessen the severity of some treatment-related side effects and improve physical functioning. This contributes to an improved quality of life and greater control over one’s health during recovery.