Your feelings about diet problems

Having diet problems when you have cancer can affect you emotionally. But there are things you can do to help you cope.

Emotional reactions

It can take time to come to terms with having a cancer diagnosis and treatment. You have to cope with the knowledge of having cancer as well as the physical effects of treatment.

For many of us, eating is a very social event. It can be one of the most enjoyable things we do in life. Having problems with eating can stop you from joining family or friends for a meal. You might feel isolated during these social occasions. This can make you depressed, anxious and lower your self-esteem.

Cultural and religious beliefs can also play a part in how you feel about food and eating.

If you have advanced cancer

With advanced cancer, your whole life has changed. If your cancer is very advanced, the worry about dying might also be on your mind.

You might not feel like eating if you are low, depressed or anxious. 

It might be hard to talk about how you are feeling. But do try and reach out to someone that you can trust when you're ready to do so. Sharing your feelings can often be a relief.

Anxiety about eating

Problems with eating and drinking can be distressing. You might feel anxious around mealtimes if you have issues with eating and drinking.

When you are looking after someone with cancer, it is natural to feel anxious about their eating. You might feel like you want to fatten them up.

There may be times when treatment side effects or your illness affect your appetite. It might be too hard for you to eat enough. And you might feel you are disappointing your relatives and friends who are trying to help.

At these times, you are likely to lose weight. Eat what you like when you feel like it. This includes desserts and cakes. This can help to make sure you have as many calories as possible.

Body changes

It can be tough to come to terms with the change in your body when you have lost weight. This can feel more difficult to cope with if you don't feel like eating.

You might need support during this time. Counselling can help for some people. Or you may prefer to talk to friends and family or other people who have similar problems.

Dealing with family and friends

It can be especially difficult for your friends and family to cope with your diet problems. It can be distressing for them to see you losing weight. They want to help but might not feel that they can.

Family and friends often think that if you eat more, you will get better. They might say things such as "If only you would eat and put on weight, then I know you would get better". Or "I have made this just for you, it is your favourite food".

Hearing people say this can be very hard, especially if you don't feel like eating. Or if even small amounts of food make you feel uncomfortable, full and sick. Feeling under pressure from others might reduce your appetite. This may be very upsetting, or cause conflict between you. During this time, you and your loved ones need support and understanding.

It can be helpful if the people caring for you understand that trying to get you to eat is not going to help. The best thing they can do is to be there for you. If you feel like eating, that's great. But if you don't, it is more helpful that they don't push you.

Doctors often explain that the lack of appetite isn't painful but eating can be. Knowing this can help your loved ones to be more understanding.

Talking about eating

It might be helpful to discuss any changes in your eating habits with the people looking after you. A dietitian may also be able to offer you advice and support with your diet problems.

Explaining how you feel

You are likely to feel better after talking to close family and friends about your diet problems. This might be hard to do though.

You may worry that your family won't cope with what you're feeling. Another worry might be that you will upset them.

But sharing worries often helps. Sometimes it is enough just to have your family listen to you. They don't need to offer advice. Most people want you to know they care and do not want you to feel isolated or upset. They are only too willing to try to understand and help if they can.

Talking to specialists

You might have a specialist nurse or dietitian you can talk to and ask for advice. If you are in a hospice, it is likely that there will be trained people that you can talk to about diet and other problems. Your GP can be another good source of help and support.

You might prefer to talk to someone who will listen to your worries, but has nothing to do with your illness. You can ask your healthcare team to refer you to a counselling service.

Other people who can support you

You might feel more comfortable speaking with a religious adviser. This can be the hospital chaplain or a faith leader.

Hospital social workers can be great support too. They can help you sort out practical issues that are worrying you. These might be financial problems due to the cost of changes to your diet and help at home. Ask your specialist nurse who you can contact for this information if your hospital doesn’t have a social worker.

The main thing is that you do not feel alone. Even if you don't have close family and friends around to help you, other people can help. So, let your GP or hospital doctor know if you need support.