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Taking Radiation For Breast Cancer, Feeling Hungry, Stomach Growling. Is It From The Treatment?
Question: I am receiving radiation to chest and axilla for recurrent breast cancer. PET was normal so no mets. I have been having treatments 5 x a week for 4 weeks. For the last week I feel hungry all of the time and my stomach growls and feels empty constantly. I am eating well, many small meals a day. If I eat a large meal the growling and empty feeling go away for about 30 mins then returns. Radiation Oncologist says its not from the treatments but I think it is. What do you think?
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
Well in your case with recurrent breast cancer with no active metastases ( the PET scan being normal, you may be receiving only prophylactic radiotherapy. There is a remote chance that the symptoms are due to radiotherapy solely.
However, as you are on treatment with Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), it may be due to hyper acidity. I would suggest that you try an antacid like Prevacid OTC once a day 1 hour before food. If the symptoms persist, speak with your family physician. Additionally, I would also like a diabetes screen to be done as diabetes can sometimes lead to these symptoms. A fasting and post prandial blood sugar needs to be done to rule out diabetes.
I hope I have answered your query. I shall be available for follow up queries.
Regards
Thanks for posting your query.
Well in your case with recurrent breast cancer with no active metastases ( the PET scan being normal, you may be receiving only prophylactic radiotherapy. There is a remote chance that the symptoms are due to radiotherapy solely.
However, as you are on treatment with Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), it may be due to hyper acidity. I would suggest that you try an antacid like Prevacid OTC once a day 1 hour before food. If the symptoms persist, speak with your family physician. Additionally, I would also like a diabetes screen to be done as diabetes can sometimes lead to these symptoms. A fasting and post prandial blood sugar needs to be done to rule out diabetes.
I hope I have answered your query. I shall be available for follow up queries.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Answered by
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