Yes, loss of appetite is very common with lung cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Up to 50% of people with lung cancer experience it at some point — so you're definitely not alone in this.
Both treatments can cause side effects that make eating harder, including:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in taste or Show Full Answer
Yes, loss of appetite is very common with lung cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Up to 50% of people with lung cancer experience it at some point — so you're definitely not alone in this.
Both treatments can cause side effects that make eating harder, including:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in taste or smell
- Fatigue
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Anxiety or emotional stress As one MyLungCancerTeam member shared, "I had no appetite, and everything had no flavor when I was going through daily radiation and chemo... I used to have to make myself eat." The good news? Their appetite returned about three weeks after treatment ended.
It's still really important to flag this with your care team, especially if you're losing weight. They can connect you with a dietitian or palliative care specialist to help manage it before it leads to weakness or malnutrition.
July 6