Combating Weight Loss After Big C

KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. – It is possible to better manage cancer patients who lose weight drastically after being diagnosed with the disease.

Kuala Lumpur Hospital dietician Romzi Mohd Ali said greater attention should be given to fighting such malnutrition and weight loss.

Depending on the type of cancer, treatment received and the patient’s response to therapy, the patient could lose up to 10 per cent of his body weight, which is deemed life-threatening.

“Nutrition support is available but clinical research is lacking,” she said, adding that due to the lack of statistics, it was not possible to gauge how many patients with cancer needed help in this area.

A 1992 study published in the Journal of Pain Symptom Management said that 60 per cent of patients with cancer had weight loss.

“When patients go into radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment, they experience nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, swallowing difficulties and other reactions, which lead to malnutrition and weight loss,” she said.

In addressing these problems, patients are normally given oral supplements and food like jelly and pudding.

A one-day talk on “Management of cancer-induced weight loss” will be held at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur at 5.30pm on Sunday.

Romzi and Dr Joseph Espat, associate professor from the University of Illinois in Chicago, will give their views.