Weight loss is a common occurrence among people
with cancer. It may be due to anxiety about having cancer,
or a side effect of cancer treatment. It can also be the result
of the tumor itself.

But weight loss is just one effect of the disease. Cancer-related changes in your metabolism can also decrease your appetite and your intake of healthy food, make your body burn more calories than usual, and increase breakdown of tissue so that muscle tissue, as well as fat, is reduced.

These effects may make you feel more tired than usual, and you may not want to pursue some of your usual activities. You may even begin to have feelings of isolation and depression.

Good nutrition can help. But eating more food, by itself, is not enough. The underlying effects causing the weight loss and other cancer-related changes must be addressed.