How do I deal with changes in taste and smell during Pancreatic Cancer treatment

Managing Taste and Smell Changes During Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Taste and smell changes are very common during pancreatic cancer treatment, and the good news is there are practical strategies to help you manage them.

Why This Happens

Chemotherapy drugs (like FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine) work by destroying rapidly dividing cells—including the taste and smell cells in your mouth and nose. This can cause foods to taste bland, metallic, or completely different from how you remember them. According to Let's Win Pancreatic Cancer resources, these changes are unique to each person and depend on your specific cancer type and treatment protocol.

Practical Strategies to Try

Experiment with flavors and seasonings:

• If food tastes bland or unappetizing, try adding seasonings you may have avoided before
• One pancreatic cancer survivor reported developing a taste for scrambled eggs drenched in Tabasco sauce—sometimes bold flavors work better than mild ones
• Use different herbs and spices to give foods more flavor

Choose foods strategically:

• If your sense of taste has been altered, try different foods, textures, and flavors to determine what's most appealing
• Focus on high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods since you may only be able to stomach small amounts:
  • Nut butters
  • Fatty fish (salmon)
  • Avocados
  • Eggs
• Eat small, frequent meals (6-8 per day) rather than three large ones

Try nostalgic foods:

• Eat favorite foods from your childhood—that hit of nostalgia may stimulate your appetite
• Important tip: Don't eat your favorite foods when you feel your worst, because you may never want to eat them again

Manage beverages:

• If water tastes strange due to chemotherapy, try alternatives:
  • Tea made with ginger, mint, or fennel
  • Flavored waters
  • Nutritional supplement drinks (like Ensure or Boost)
  • Bone broth
• Avoid alcohol-based mouth rinses, which can make dry mouth worse

When to Ask for Help

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Pancreatic Cancer, if nausea and taste changes are interfering with your ability to eat:

• Talk to your oncology team about anti-nausea medications—there are multiple options available
• Meet with a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition. Up to 90% of pancreatic cancer patients experience weight loss, and a dietitian can help you maximize nutrient intake while managing these side effects
• Ask about appetite-stimulating medications if you're struggling to eat, such as:
  • Mirtazapine (Remeron)—an antidepressant that increases appetite and helps with sleep
  • Dronabinol (Marinol)—a synthetic form of THC that can boost appetite

Key Takeaway

Remember: "Eat what you can, when you can. Now is not the time to diet." The goal during treatment is to maintain nutrition and weight, not to follow strict dietary rules. Focus on getting enough calories and protein to support your body through treatment.

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Questions to ask your healthcare team:

1. Should I take anti-nausea medication before I have symptoms to prevent them?
2. Can you refer me to a registered dietitian with oncology experience?
3. Are appetite-stimulating medications appropriate for me?
4. What specific foods should I focus on given my treatment plan?

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.