In class, the question was brought up concerning strange taste sensations that deviate from the norm in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. I was really interested in this topic because, like most other people, I have known and lost a number of people to cancer, and right now my uncle is undergoing chemotherapy. My mother is with him and his family now and I asked her many questions about what he eats, how, and if there was anything particularly strange about it because I wanted to see firsthand what chemo patients have to suffer through when undergoing chemotherapy. Also, I found that usually, for a few weeks to some months after the therapy is started, these changes are present. I am hoping my uncle can cope with these changes in a healthy way.

She told me about my uncle, and the results were so interesting. My uncle has oral cancer. First of all, she noticed he had lost a really significant amount of weight. I researched some more and found a site with tips for patients going through chemotherapy. I noted that the weight loss had really strong ties to taste. The site notes that with chemotherapy a loss of taste is experienced. Who would have guessed this relationship? I did not even consider how the therapy can affect taste to the point that life can be utterly boring, bitter, and tasteless! “Marinating meats in sweet sauces” and “chewing mints and gum” is suggested on the site. I told my mother she should suggest these things to my uncle, and she told me what he said. He complains often of a metal taste and feels nauseous when my aunt suggests going to his favorite restaurant to eat the Eggplant Parmesan he used to love. He feels like vomiting if he eats more than just a little bit. I insisted to my mother that she say something about how he needs to “maintain good nutrition,” because I found that weight loss is dangerous for these patients. I found this on a site that gives more tips about why taste changes so dramatically during chemotherapy.

I found a great, more biology based site that more concretely provides a detailed list of symptoms of patients undergoing chemotherapy. I found that a “dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs when the salivary glands produce too little saliva” and is very common for these patients. I researched further for why this happens and found that saliva is integral for speech and taste. This makes sense-our Professor told us that molecules have to be water soluble for us to be able to taste them! What a dilemma. Salivary glands are damaged during chemotherapy.

My mother also told me she and my aunt are really suffering watching my uncle be tube fed, which he is luckily being weaned off of because he can eat a little more by mouth. The site above informed me as I searched for hope for my uncle who can’t even eat his pasta without wanting to vomit that “although most patients will regain their ability to eat solid foods, many will have lasting complications such as taste changes, dry mouth, and trouble swallowing.” This left me more disturbed than before I started my research, especially since my uncle has oral cancer so much of his inner mouth was removed. I read that “Zinc sulfate supplements may help with the recovery for some patients” so I suggested this to my aunt.

Finally, on a final note, for some closure, I found that “In most patients receiving chemotherapy and in some patients undergoing radiation therapy, taste returns to normal a few months after therapy ends” and this left me relieved although I has realized that taste has an integral part in our lives. Now I realize how lucky I really am by not having to suffer through so many debilitating difficulties that cancer patients like my uncle face everyday.