Browser does not support script.
Skip to main content
search here
Find out how we produce our information|
Some cancer treatments| can cause eating problems. These can be temporary and improve when you finish treatment. Other problems may last longer.
In the short-term, surgery| can slow down your digestion. If you have surgery to the mouth, throat, stomach or intestine, it can take some time for you to return to a more regular eating pattern.
If you’ve had radiotherapy| to the head, neck or chest area you may experience eating problems such as taste changes|, swallowing difficulties|, a dry mouth| and a very sore mouth and throat|. Radiotherapy to the tummy (abdomen) or pelvic areas can make you feel sick (nauseous)|, or be sick (vomit), or it can cause diarrhoea|.
Common side effects of some chemotherapy| treatments can include loss of appetite, taste changes, constipation, diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick and a sore mouth.
Biological therapies| can affect your appetite or your ability to eat. Problems might include taste changes, a dry or sore mouth and feeling sick.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.