In a study published in 2011 of pleural mesothelioma patients, 30% presented with unexplained weight loss. Losing weight for no reason can be a presenting symptom for different cancers. During a patient’s journey with cancer most all patients lose weight at some point. Some lose before and during treatment.
We know how difficult it is to balance having cancer and maintaining good nutrition. Often when one does not feel well the last think they may want to do is eat. Cancer treatments can affect the ability to taste and smell, thus limiting one’s appetite and their ability to eat enough calories and nutrients. Anorexia, the loss of appetite or desire to eat, is the most common symptom patients have. Cachexia is the term used to describe a metabolic disorder that affects as many as 80% of patients with advanced cancer. It involves extreme weight and muscle loss. The addition of more calories does not reverse cachexia. It affects patients in the late stages of many chronic illnesses such as heart failure, COPD, and kidney disease. Cachexia is being studied and different drug trials are being used in the hopes of reversing this condition. Cachexia is devastating to the patient and their loved ones as it is a constant reminder of how sick they are.
Eating healthy and including vegetables and fruits in a diet is not always the most appetizing when one is undergoing cancer treatment. Sometimes any calories are good calories during cancer treatments. If one is striving to maintain a healthy weight, high calorie foods can be your best defense.
Today while speaking with a patient, Mrs. P. who is undergoing radiation, she explained that she gets weighed once a week and to her surprise, she had lost 2 pounds. She knew in the past she had not been the healthiest eater, but thought she had been doing a good job with her nutrition as of late. Mrs. P. felt disappointed in herself, but she is 3 weeks into radiation and “not giving up.” The side effects of weight loss can include feeling physically weak and having the inability to keep up with daily activities. If you are already underweight this can be dangerous territory, especially psychologically. Therefore it is important that you are maintaining a healthy weight because you will feel good about yourself and in turn, better about your treatments.
Everyone’s diet will be unique depending on their diagnosis and individual needs. If you are currently in the middle of treatment, it is best to seek out a dietician. There are resources for patients seeking help. Consult your doctor for a recommendation.
Nutrition is a very important component in fighting cancers, including mesothelioma. As stated before, high calorie foods, along with protein nutritional supplements like Ensure or Boost can add calories to your diet. If you choose Ensure or Boost think about adding ice cream to it. If pain is an issue, take your prescribed medicine and then try to eat. If nausea is the culprit, medicate yourself before it becomes a major issue. Maintaining a healthy weight is going to require work. The goal is to not let the weight loss get ahead of you.
– Lisa
I recently read an article that was written about a man named Steve McQueen who had Mesothelioma. Steve McQueen was a famous movie actor in the 1960’s and 1970’s. This article was published in The New York Times almost 25 years since his passing. When reading the article, many things stood out to me. However, what stood out to me in particular was his path. When someone told him he had no more options in regard to his illness, he still moved forward.
Julie Russell is an experienced Registered Nurse who is also a mesothelioma cancer survivor. Julie’s clinical expertise in nursing is in the area of the Cardiac Intervention. She has also been an instructor of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) for many years. Her varied nursing background includes roles as a nursing supervisor, educator and staff nurse.
Dr. David Sugarbaker is a world renowned expert in thoracic surgery, including malignant pleural mesothelioma. Currently he is the Professor and Chief, Division of General Thoracic Surgery Baylor College of Medicine. He is also the Director of the Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, along with the Olga Keith Wiess Chairman in Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.
The Mesothelioma Treatment Center Baylor College of Medicine
We encourage participation in clinical trials for research leading to a cure for mesothelioma. It is known that nationally the statistics for participation in adult cancer trials is between 3-5% of adults who have a cancer diagnosis.
Many of us plan so much for our lives, however, sickness is usually not included in the equation. We plan our marriages, children, vacations, but illness is not one we plan for or foresee. As a professional in the medical industry, we meet many types of patients. For instance, some patients want to know everything about their illness and others desire to know nothing at all. Despite what type of person they are, the first step in fighting an illness is a plan. Most people who plan appear to mentally have an easier course. Goals are what make us get up every morning and work hard. Goals become measurable and let us see improvement. That being said, it is important to have measurable goals. This is something people can still stick to even when everything is not going according to plan. In simple terms, when someone is diagnosed with an illness, the ultimate goal is to achieve better health.
As summer approaches, we are reminded that the first Sunday in June is the official National Cancer Survivor Day. This year the 29th annual day is scheduled for Sunday June 5th. According to the website National Cancer Survivors Day, 
