[TanyaRD]

As many of you have responded weight gain after a breast cancer diagnosis is very common. What is interesting is that women with early stage breast cancer not requiring chemotherapy often experience the same weight gain therefore it has been difficult to say it is chemo related. Most women experience a gradual menopause (for better or worse!) whereas with anti-estrogen therapies associated with breast cancer and/or surgery to induce menopause results in a rapid onset of menopause. Weight gain is common in post-menopausal women, especially in the abdominal area. I might theorize that the weight gain occurs more rapidly post breast cancer due to the rapid hormonal changes. Additionally, I believe there are other significant changes that may occur such as decreased activity due to fatigue or depression or even long treatments. Certainly this wouldn't apply to all but could be compounding factors. Interestingly, we don't see this weight gain with other diagnoses.

I wish there were easy solutions/answers for this issue. I counsel my patients to be as fit and healthy as possible. We know without a doubt that a healthy, antioxidant rich diet and regular exercise are protective against cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, etc. The greatest benefit is seen when the diet is rich in antioxidants vs. supplementing a poor diet. There is also significant research demonstrating the importance of a low saturated fat diet. Fats in the diet should be primarily monounsaturated. Exercise is not only physically beneficial but known to help with cancer related fatigue in addition to being a great stress reliever.

One additional area that should not be overlooked is sleep. Sleep deprivation may also play a significant role in overweight/obesity and the difficulty in weight loss.