Weight Gain

I am a 40yo female who was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  I had a masectomy and TRAM flap in February and started chemo on 4-1-03.  I have been watching my diet, working out approx. 3 times a week and still gaining weight.  A friend recently told me that chemo makes some women gain weight, especially breast cancer patients.  Is this true and if so, WHY?  Could it be hormones?  My tumor was estrogen receptive and since it's removal could my body be experiencing a hormonal shift?  What advice can you give me to at least stop the weight gain?  I have gained approx. 15 pounds and am very frustrated with this.  I met with a dietitian but she will not put me on a restricted diet weight loss diet until after chemo, but I need help NOW...Please advise!! Thank You!

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Gracie2, It is not uncommon for women going through chemotherapy for breast cancer to experience weight gain, this is particularly true of pre-menopausal women.  The exact mechanism for this weight gain is not really known.  Usually weight gain occurs when caloric intake exceeds the amount of calories utilized by the body for energy.  So if a person is eating more or is less active this could account for some weight gain.  The current thinking based on study of this issue is that the weight gain may be due more to decreased activity than to overeating as had earlier been thought the culprit.  There is also some question if some chemotherapy drugs actually alter the way the body uses or stores calories? Or whether since chemotherapy frequently induces menopause or menopause-like symptoms in premenopausal patients, whether something in this process effects weight gain.  

More research needs to be done about this issue (which is only recently being really addressed) however to help you now at least to help halt some of the weight gain  - moderate exercise may be your best bet.  Of course don't overdue it.  You may want to take a look at the website www.chemocare.com - look under managing side effects for "weight changes" there are more tips/suggestions that may be of help to you.