Cancer and Treatment-related Taste Changes

What are taste changes?

Definition:

Changes in taste are defined as a change in how food and fluid tastes.

How do people describe taste changes?

People describe taste changes as being bothersome or distressing changes in taste. Some say their food tastes like cardboard, or is too salty, sweet, sour or bitter; or has no taste at all.

When happens to people when they experience taste changes?

Some people report a sudden dislike to foods they one enjoyed. Persons report taste loss involving all four tastes (sweet, sour, salty and bitter). Others may report a lower tolerance for bitter tastes or a higher tolerance for sweet tastes.

What causes taste changes?

Many kinds of chemotherapy can cause taste changes. In addition, treatment such as radiation to the head and neck region can cause an absence of taste sensation. Persons receiving chemotherapy may experience a metallic taste, or an increased sensitivity to certain foods.

How do people cope with taste changes?

No two people have the same level of taste alteration. It may last a few days or linger for a longer period of time. Here are some tips other people have found helpful.

• Suck on sugar free sour candies to increase saliva.
• Increase your fluid intake to 8-10 8 oz. Glasses of drinks such as water, grape juice, sports drinks or apple juice
• Use plastic utensils if food tastes metallic.
• Eat sugar free mints; chew sugar-free gum or ice to help mask the bitter or metallic taste.
• Brush your teeth and over your tongue before and after meals to help stimulate your taste buds.
• Try flavoring foods with herbs, spices, sugar, lemon and tasty sauces.
• Avoid tobacco products.
• Avoid eating 1-2 hours before chemotherapy or radiation therapy and up to 3 hours after therapy.
• Marinate meats in sweet fruit juices, wines, salad dressings, barbeque sauce or sweet-and-sour sauces.
• Eat foods chilled or at room temperature; this is typically more tolerable than warm or hot foods.
• Avoid any mouthwash containing alcohol.
• Rinse your mouth with saline (add 1-2 tsp. Table salt to 1 quart of water) before meals.

What can family members and friends do to help with my taste changes?

• Ask family members and friends to prepare smaller, more frequent food chilled or at room temperature.
• Ask family members or friends to buy sugar free sour candies or sugar free gum or mints.
• Ask family members or friends to remind you to offer you more fluids, such as those listed above.

How can I talk with my family members and friends about taste changes?

• Be open and honest about how you’re feeling.
• Describe what changes in taste feel like.
• Tell family and friends how taste changes are affecting what you can or can’t eat.

What should I report to my doctor or nurse?

• Pain with eating or swallowing
• A fever of 100.5 or greater
• Problems with eating any food for 48 hours.
• Any bleeding or sores (ulcers) in your mouth.

Where can I get more information?

• Contact your healthcare provider.
• Contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or on the Internet at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/MBC_2x_OtherEffects.asp?sitearea=MBC
• Contact the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER or through the Internet at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/coping/
• Visit the Family Care Research Program on the Internet at: http://www.cancercare.msu.edu/

References:

1. Sherry, VW. (2002). Taste alterations among patients with cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 6(2): 73-7.
2. Johnson, FM. (2001) Alterations in taste sensation: a case presentation of a patient with end-stage pancreatic cancer. Cancer Nursing, 24(2): 149-55.