Cancer chemotherapy: sometimes takes the pleasure out of eating

(1) In June 2006 the French National Cancer Institute published the results of a survey of eating difficulties among 1843 patients receiving cancer chemotherapy; (2) More than one-third of patients said they had less appetite than before ("far less" in 13% of cases). About half of patients said they had noticed a change in their sensation of thirst; (3) Half of patients who had been receiving treatment for at least 6 months said they had lost weight; (4) Half of patients found food tasted different. 43% of patients found certain odours unbearable, especially perfumes and tobacco. One-third of patients said the smell of the treatment room made them nauseous. Many patients found mealtimes unpleasant, sometimes even a source of anxiety; (5) In practice, these eating difficulties should be taken into account when assessing the risk-benefit balance of cancer treatments. When a treatment needs to be pursued, patients should be helped to find ways of making food more palatable, the treatment room should be well ventilated, and perfumes should not be used.