Published in

SAGE Publications, Palliative Medicine, 6(16), p. 499-506, 2002

DOI: 10.1191/0269216302pm593oa

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Loss of weight and loss of appetite in advanced cancer: a problem for the patient, the carer, or the health professional?

Journal article published in 2002 by Karen Poole, Katherine Froggatt ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the loss of weight and loss of appetite as ‘problems’ experienced by patients with advanced cancer and those that care for them. It reports the results of a systematic search of the literature and presents the findings as a narrative review. Research to date has focused upon charting the prevalence and incidence of these symptoms, but little empirical work has been conducted to investigate how patients and carers experience these problems. There is some evidence to suggest that anorexia may be more distressing for those caring for the patient than the person suffering from the symptom itself. Understanding the reason for this anguish requires an appreciation of the meaning of food refusal and constitutes the first step towards informing the development of effective interventions. Such exploratory work is mandatory if health professionals wish to move beyond speculation and deliver interventions that provide meaningful benefits for the cancer patient and their family.