Cancer Research UK main site

Weight loss prostrate cancer

faymondo
Offline

Hi my Dad has recently been diagnosed with prostrate cancer stage 4, it has metasised to one place in his spine sadly 

his first symptom was weight loss , he is very active (79) and doesn’t have much weight to loose and is very small build anyway 

originally his GP sent him away with a diet sheet and told to return a month later which is upsetting 

anyway , that was in July. He has now started hormone therapy about a month ago and is starting radiation therapy next month 

but my main question and my main concern is his weight loss. He is still eating , he feels good in himself but is still losing weight and it’s worrying us so much as he is very very slim anyway. 

on top of that he seems so depressed and is in turmoil, he has stopped playing golf , watching live football matches etc , it’s so sad to see 

but as I said above , please can you advise if weight loss is a common symptom of advanced prostrate cancer , and if it likely to stop once the hormone therapy or radiation  therapy begins and it hopefully shrinks  the cancer ?

my dad doesn’t want to discuss it with us as he finds it too upsetting 

also , it only in one place in his spine , can this spread once treatment has started ?

I just want the weight loss to stop and understand why he is losing the weight . His oncologist didn’t seem to think it was related ???

thanks so much x x

  • Hello, and thank you for your post,

    I am sorry to learn that your dad has recently been diagnosed with metastatic (stage 4) prostate cancer. This must not be easy for you as a family.

    I can appreciate that it is also worrying for you how much weight your dad has lost.

    Not being involved in your dad's care, we cannot say what the cause of his weight loss is, whether or not it is because of the cancer, or if things will improve once treatment starts. I realise this is going to be disappointing to read.

    I wondered if your dad has a specialist nurse that, with your dad's permission, you could discuss this with, as they will be familiar with his situation. It might be possible to get a dietitian referral either in the hospital or there may be a community dietitian; his GP may be able to arrange for him to see.

    The Cancer and Nutrition helpline is run by dieticians who have experience of supporting people with cancer, which you may find useful to contact for advice. We also have tips for putting on weight, which may help.

    I am sorry we cannot be more helpful, and I hope you can get some support with this.

    Please feel free to get back to us. If you would like to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday freephone 0808 800 4040

    Jemma

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.