Sapphire Institute for Medical Cannabis Education In Association with the Society of Cannabis Clinicians UK Chapter
<h3><span style=”color: #16487b; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 400;”>Appetite loss (anorexia) is common for patients with cancer. Changes in appetite may be secondary to the cancer itself or side effects of treatment.</span></h3><p>In patients with cancer the hormones that regulate hunger become dysfunctional. This may result in appetite loss, altered food preferences, or an earlier sensation of fullness whilst eating.</p><p>Almost all cancer patients will experience some form of change in appetite.</p><p>Management of appetite loss in cancer is an important part of therapy to allow patients to adapt to the challenges of cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.</p>
<p>Almost all cancer patients will experience some form of change in appetite.</p><p>50-80% of cancer patients will go on to develop cachexia, a disorder characterised by weight loss, anorexia, loss of muscle mass, inflammation and decline in function.</p><p>This has a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life and is associated with poorer outcomes.</p>
<p>Human appetite is normally kept in balance via the complex interaction of hormones that respond to internal and external cues that suggest how much energy the body needs.</p><p>Cancer produces inflammation in the body, which in many people causes these signals to become unbalanced, resulting in appetite loss or early fullness whilst eating.</p><p>Cancers affecting the gastrointestinal tract, head and neck, liver, and pancreas are at high risk of developing anorexia, malnutrition and weight loss.</p><p>Appetite loss can also be a side effect of cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.</p>
<p>Diagnosis is made by listening to the patient to understand their symptoms in full and by performing a clinical examination.</p><p>A full nutritional assessment might also include blood tests and weight measurements.</p>
<p>Cancer-Related Appetite Loss <strong>Treatment</strong></p>
<p>In people with cancer appetite loss can be distressing due to its association with significant weight loss and impairment in function.</p><p>Simple measures can be very affective at helping improve appetite, including: frequent snacking, flexible mealtimes, making meals appealing and fun, and drinking nourishing drinks.</p><p>In addition to these, it is possible to stimulate appetite through medications called steroids (e.g. dexamethasone) and progestogens (e.g. medroxyprogesterone).</p><p>Medical cannabis can be considered when first line therapies have not achieved adequate symptom control.</p>
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