Many people going through chemotherapy discuss an unpleasant body odor as a side effect. And yes, the culprit is indeed the chemotherapy drugs that affect both the body and bodily fluids. The positive news is that the smell typically disappears after the last treatment.
While science will soon be able to identify the compounds that make up the characteristic “smell” of some common cancers, in most cases the concentration of these compounds is too low to be detectable even by people nearby.
Changes to the taste, smell or feeling of food are a common side effect for people before, during and after cancer treatment. This can affect what foods you are able to eat and enjoy eating, and may contribute to a loss of appetite and weight loss.
Effective techniques for early diagnosis are urgently needed, as the disease often has no early signs or symptoms. "Cancer tumors result in a change in body-related odors that can be detected both by trained animal sensors and by sophisticated chemical techniques," said Monell biologist Gary K. Beauchamp, Ph.
Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes. Prescription-strength antiperspirants or medications may help.
Nasal and paranasal sinus cancer and its treatment can affect your sense of smell. But there are things you can do to help you cope.
After each chemotherapy session, the drugs may remain in your body for up to a week. During this time, very small amounts of the drugs may be released from the body in your vomit, urine (wee), faeces (poo), blood, saliva, sweat, semen or vaginal discharge, and breastmilk.
Some urinary or bladder changes may be normal, such as changes to the color or smell of your urine caused by some types of chemotherapy. Your health care team will determine what is causing your symptoms and will advise on steps to take to feel better.
Why Chemo And Radiation Affect Smell And Taste. Taste buds and smell receptors have some renewable cell tissue, and chemotherapy and radiation work by stopping cell renewal.
Weight loss is common among people with cancer. It may be the first visible sign of the disease. In fact, 40% of people say they had unexplained weight loss when they were first diagnosed with cancer. Weight loss associated with cancer may be different than other types of weight loss.
Fatigue is very common in people with cancer. It can be the most troubling symptom. Many people say it's the most disruptive side effect of all. Cancer related fatigue can affect you physically, emotionally and mentally.
Some medical conditions can cause a change in body odor, including: Liver disease. Diabetes. Kidney disease.
Most chemotherapy drugs are cleared from body waste in about two days. A few drugs may take as long as seven or more days to be cleared. A variety of factors can influence how long it takes for the drugs to leave your body.
A return to normalcy is typical, but it takes a while – usually six months or so. “All who have done chemo do finally get back to normal,” Patricia said. “Treatment for breast cancer can take a whole year, but six months after it ends, life comes back – incisions heal, hair grows back, chemo brain fog lifts.”
Some people even find that their hair grows before treatment has ended, especially those on combination chemotherapy regimes.
If your cancer treatment includes taking oral chemotherapy, there are important safety tips you and your caregiver should follow. It is safe to touch other people while on chemotherapy. You can hug and kiss. But you do need to protect others from coming into contact with your medicine.
For most people the side effects were worst in the first few days after treatment, then they gradually felt better until the next treatment. Some said the effects were worse with each successive treatment. Most side effects don't persist and disappear within a few weeks after the end of treatment.
Having Sex During Your Cancer Treatment
We recommend using a barrier device (condom or dental dam) during treatment and for a week after each treatment during oral, vaginal, or anal sex to prevent your partner from being exposed to any medication that may be in your bodily fluids.
Is it safe to kiss others after chemo? It is generally safe to kiss others after chemotherapy as long as no active infection is present. However, it is crucial to practice proper hygiene and avoid close contact with people who are ill, to reduce the risk of infection.
Bathe every day and use warm water. Avoid soaking in spas or hot tubs. Use a mild soap for bathing. Use a soft towel to gently wash skin.
Doctors think some chemotherapy drugs cause taste changes because they stay in the spit (saliva) for a few days after treatment.
For instance, chemotherapy, which is designed to destroy rapidly dividing cancer cells, may also damage normal cells that divide rapidly, such as those in the mouth. The spread of chemotherapy drugs in tissues of the mouth and/or damage to taste receptors may also cause taste changes.