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The impact of treatments on taste and smell

Find out how the impact of treatments on taste and smell can lead to changes in appetite and food preferences.

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How treatment can affect taste and smell

Radiation therapy and drug therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy can damage cells and nerves responsible for smell and taste. Usually these changes are temporary but sometimes the changes may last longer or be permanent.

Cancer treatments can also cause conditions that affect taste and smell. These include:

Dry mouth (xerostomia)

This is when your mouth produces less saliva (spit) and your mouth seems dry or your saliva is thick, sticky or stringy. Saliva helps your tastebuds recognise flavours, so a dry mouth may affect how food and drinks taste.

Having a dry mouth over a long period of time can also cause mouth infections or tooth decay.

Talk to your doctor, nurse or dentist if you have a dry mouth, as they can give you tips to help reduce any discomfort.

Oral mucositis

This is inflammation of the lining of your mouth, and can be caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy. Oral mucositis can lead to mouth ulcers that may cause pain and discomfort when eating and drinking. Your cancer treatment team, doctor or dentist can give you medicines to reduce the discomfort when you eat and drink.

If you have a dry mouth, mucositis or don’t feel like eating, talk to your doctor. It’s also a good idea to visit a dentist for a check-up before you start cancer treatment. Let them know about your treatment so they can help you care for your mouth and teeth.

Tips for common issues

Taste

Food has no flavour
  • Add seasonings such as fresh herbs, lemon, ginger, garlic, honey, chilli, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pickles and marinades.
  • If your mouth is sore, avoid acidic or spicy sauces or seasonings.
Flavours are overpowering
  • Choose foods that do not have strong flavours.
  • Avoid using spices such as chilli.
  • Avoid fizzy drinks, mints or chewing gum.

You have a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth
  • Nibble on moist fruit, suck boiled sweets or have small sips of flavoured drinks; ginger flavours may be helpful.
  • Use plastic utensils or wooden chopsticks.
  • Add vinegar or the juice of lemons, limes and oranges to drinks or food (if you don’t have a sore mouth).

Food seems too dry or tastes like “cardboard”
  • Add liquids like gravy or sauces.
  • Eat moist foods like soups, smoothies and casseroles.
  • Keep up your water intake so your mouth does not get too dry.
  • Chew gum or suck lollies to stimulate saliva (spit).
  • Sip fluids during meals.

Smell

Increased sensitivity to smells
  • Stay out of the kitchen when food is being prepared.
  • Ask friends and family to cook for you or buy nutritious prepared meals if possible.
  • Choose bland, cold or room- temperature foods.
  • Use exhaust fans, cover pots with lids or cook outdoors.
  • Avoid strong-smelling foods or ingredients.

Some smells can make you feel sick
  • Speak with your treatment team, who can suggest ways to help.

Some smells cause a bad taste in your mouth
  • Rinse away the taste by drinking water or block your nose to minimise the smell.

During treatment, I developed an active sense of smell. I hated certain smells and did all I could to avoid them. My mouth felt very dry, which made food taste unappetising. Adding extra sauce helped.

Helen

→ READ MORE: How to manage taste, smell and touch changes

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This information was last updated in June 2025. See who reviewed this content.

Isabel Bailey, Dietitian, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Dietetics Team, NSW; Lyn Leaver, Consumer; Paula Macleod, Head, Neck and Thyroid Cancer Nurse Coordinator, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW; Rosemary Martin, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Oncology, Broken Hill Base Hospital, NSW; Catherine Meredith, Consumer; Louise Moodie, Director Dietetics, Mackay Hospital and Health Service, QLD; Chris Rivett, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Jess Smith, Medical Oncologist, GenesisCare Campbelltown, NSW.

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