Losing weight for no apparent reason could be a symptom of cancer

For some people who want an ideal body weight, weight loss is a goal. However, what if the weight loss occurs for no apparent reason? Can cancer cause this? Check out the explanation below.

Causes of Cancer can Influence Weight Loss

A person’s weight can fluctuate for many reasons. For example, due to high stress levels, work, and irregular eating patterns.

According to American Cancer Societyunexplained weight loss can be an early sign of some types cancer. Including esophageal cancergastric cancer, pancreatic cancerAnd lung cancer.

Apart from these types of cancer, another cancer that also has the potential to cause drastic weight loss, namely ovarian cancer. Cancer that occurs in women, can press on the stomach when the tumor has grown large enough so that the stomach feels full. As a result, the sufferer always feels full faster.

Not only weight loss, in some cases the appearance of cancer can also cause symptoms that make sufferers experience:

• Loss of appetite.
• Nauseous.
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing food.

Someone who has cancer will experience inflammation in the body. This inflammation is part of the immune system’s response to tumors that produce pro-inflammatory cytokines.

This is what changes the body’s metabolism and disrupts the hormones that regulate appetite; which may cause weight loss in sufferers.

Also Read: Is it true that prolonged stress can cause cancer?

Percentage of Weight Loss Due to Cancer

If abnormal weight loss is an early sign of cancer, then how much weight will you lose with this disease? In general, weight loss is about 5 percent of the total body weight you currently have.

This decline occurred within a period of 6-12 months. For example, if you weigh 70 kg, within 6 months you can lose around 3-4 kg for no apparent reason. Even though you are not on a diet program or the like.

American Cancer Society explained that massive weight loss like 4-5 kg ​​in a short time is also a sign of certain cancers in the body. These types of cancer include: pancreatic, stomach, esophageal, and lung cancer.

Meanwhile according Cancer Research UK, about 80 percent of people with pancreatic and stomach cancer experience significant weight loss since the initial diagnosis. Furthermore, 60 percent of people who get lung cancer also experience significant weight loss.

Also Read: Is it true that appendicitis increases the risk of colon cancer?

How to Overcome Weight Loss Due to Cancer

Dealing with eating problems or disorders can occur for many reasons, most often by administering medication according to the diagnosis and symptoms that arise. The doctor will give certain drugs so that someone with cancer can eat easily.

The drugs that are often used are usually of the m typegesttrol acetate. This drug mimics the hormone progesterone in the female body. Next there are steroids such as pancreatic enzymes or lipases, metoclopramide (Reglan) or dronabinol (Marinol).

Meanwhile, some people with cancer in the neck area must receive food from an IV.

Important to know, everyone people have different body conditions. Therefore, consultation with a doctor is needed to determine the right medication and treatment.

The food that enters the body should also be nutritious and easily processed by the body. Sometimes foods that are too salty, spicy, or bitter are difficult to process, so there is a possibility that a calorie deficit will also be large.

If you are confused about which foods to eat or avoid, consult a doctor or nutritionist so that you don’t lose weight and worsen your cancer condition.

Although significant weight loss is not always related to cancer, you still have to be vigilant when dealing with it. The best step is to immediately check the condition to the doctor, regardless of the disturbance that appears related to cancer or not.

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