Breast Cancer Meds & Weight Loss

Katherine, thank you for your testimonial I am happy to know you are living cancer free.

It's great that you included the interventions therapy that you've had regarding BC as there are acute and chronic effects pertaining to it.

Weight gain is a common acute treatment effect with chemotherapy as well as immunotherapy. I include this as it is important to know what therapy and intervention your client had in order to better address why she is putting on weight.

It be great to know a little bit more about her, in order to better respond to your questions, however, I understand the importance of client privacy.

Hope the above helps you out though.

I too found that I was inexpicably gaining weight during and after my own Berast cancer tratment. I believe there are two reasons that some of us do gain weight:
1. Weight gain is listed as a side effect, for the post cancer drug- like tamoxifen. Of course, not everyone gets every side effect- but i sure was in the percenatage that did.
I was an exercise teacher before and after breast cancer and gained alot of wieght. It was very frustratiing and embarrassing.I am still strugglingwith it.

2, I was diagnosed at 45. After the first chemo, I never got another period. It was unexpectably thrown into full blown menopause (I was not pre menopausal before) and suddenly had every menopausal side effect (hot flashes 20x or more a day, slower e metabolism, sarcopenia, weight gain or 30 pounds, etc) So I also blame the induced menopause for making me gain weight.

I dont know the age of your client or if she was also thrown into eary menopause, but I hope this info helps. All I do now,to maintain my weight (still a struggle) is teaching or taking 5 mind body classes per week and 5 aerobic type classes per week. I walk at least 3 or 4 days a week and stay on weight watchers online.
JC

Hi Rita
You started your question indicating that your client was losing some weight in the beginning and that after she started to work she stopped losing weight. I wonder if some of the answer is in this pattern change?

Yes, often times medicines or treatments have side effects, such as weight gain. If your client is concerned that the treatment protocol is causing the weight retention she would be best advised to discuss this with her oncologist. Then you both can work a plan from his/her suggestions.

Rita, this is two things you might want to consider. I did it in this order:

I was able to attend a one-week course held in Greely, Colorado at the University of Northern Colordo. It was a cancer exercise specialist course where I learned a great deal regarding exercise programming with individuals living with cancer. The course is geared toward clinical exercise physiologists, physical therapists, doctors as well as personal trainers. It was phenomenal. Loads of practical involved and plenty, plenty of theory. One must have a bacheor's degree in order to attend.

Upon taking the course and passing their exam, I studied for and took and passed ACSM Cancer Exercise Trainer certification.

Those those avenues proved to be very helpful as far as exercise programming with those living with cancer.

I am sure you have the website of the ACSM. Following is the link to the course offered at the University at Northern Colorado.

I wish you the best!

http://www.unco.edu/summerconf/Register/Cancer%20Exercise.html

The question is best snswered by your physician or pharmasist. Medications can definitely have an effect on weight control, either up or down.

Get her up on a bike and go for a 20 miler!

This is a fascinating topic. Like Jean I was thrown into menopause after my first chemo treatment for breast cancer at age 48. After chemo, four surgeries and all the drugs and steroids that go with it I gained 45 pounds in 18 months. My last surgery was 13 months ago and for the past ten months my workout routine has been kickboxing 3x a week Yoga and strength training 1-3x week and I've trained and run three 5ks. I have done juice cleanses and food journals and I haven't lost a single pound! Out of desperation I even got some phentermine from my Dr. But after 30 days and no weight loss I stopped taking it. I think this is a far more complex area than most people acknowledge. My body composition has changed and I try to stay focused on staying fit rather than weight loss because of the insurmountable frustration.
As a trainer and a breast cancer mentor at my local hospital I try to encourage the women that I work with to adopt a similar frame of mind. Nothing ticks me off more than when someone says implies I'm overeating. I have never worked so hard and had no results.
I recently had a blood panel done by an endocrinologist and were now working on a vitamin program to try and balance my out of whack hormones.
Although my oncologist claims this is not related to my cancer treatment, my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon tell me they see this all the time.