“Are you losing weight for no reason?”… Be suspicious of ‘cancers like these’ first!

If you lose more than 5% of your body weight in 6 months to 1 year… Lung cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer may be in the ‘early stages.’

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It’s not just people who are worried about gaining weight. Some people are afraid of losing weight for no reason. You can lose weight even in the early stages of lung cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer, so it is a good idea to pay attention to your daily weight.[사진=게티이미지뱅크]Many people are worried about their weight. However, there are quite a few people who lose weight for no apparent reason. Christine Kukasian, Chief Dietitian (Department of Clinical Nutrition) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), said, “It is common to lose weight noticeably even if you have not recently reduced the amount of food you eat, increased physical activity such as exercise, or tried to lose weight. “It’s not true,” he said in an interview with the American health media outlet ‘Health Day.’ He added, “Unexplained weight loss should be viewed as a danger signal that there is a health problem.”

According to UCLA Health, the average person’s weight can change within 1kg every day due to hormones, amount of water in the body, etc. However, if the change in weight is more severe than that, cancer, gastrointestinal disease, mental health disorders, etc. may be suspected. “If you lose more than 5% of your original weight, or about 2.27 kg (10 pounds) over a period of 6 to 12 months, it is likely a red flag,” said Kukasian, chief nutritionist.

10-20% of unexpected weight loss is due to gastrointestinal problems, such as chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or laxative abuse due to eating disorders. In addition to eating disorders, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and stress can also have a negative effect on appetite. Weight loss is not a red flag that cancer has progressed. However, it is important to note that weight loss may occur in the early stages of colon, pancreatic, and lung cancer. Four out of 10 people diagnosed with cancer visit the hospital because of unexpected weight loss.

Chief nutritionist Gukasian said, “Some medications used to treat mental health disorders can affect appetite, taste and smell, and can cause nausea. If you skip meals or don’t sleep well, you are bound to lose weight.” Dementia, thyroid disease, diabetes, gum disease, swallowing difficulties, and financial stress can also cause loss of appetite. There are statistics that show that the probability of a sick elderly person suddenly losing weight while staying in a nursing hospital can be as high as 60%.

Not all weight loss is caused by a life-threatening illness. Once the underlying cause is found, it can be treated or managed appropriately. People who have lost a lot of weight to a worrying extent should visit a hospital as soon as possible. You must undergo a physical examination, mental health examination, blood and urine tests, and imaging tests to determine the cause. Chief nutritionist Gu Kasian emphasized, “The most important thing is to pay attention to your health and take proactive measures.”

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