Taste and smell changes

Cancer treatment can change the taste, smell or texture of food. This may reduce your appetite and lead to weight loss or poor nutrition. Managing these changes can help you stay well and support your recovery.

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How cancer can affect taste and smell

Learn about the changes and challenges you may face during your cancer treatment.

What changes could you experience?

Explore what changes to taste and smell you can expect during cancer treatment and how it affects your food experiences.

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, and how to manage these.

Managing taste and smell changes

Get tips from experts, develop an eating plan, and keep a record to understand and manage side effects.

Questions for your doctorAsking your doctor or dietitian questions will help you manage any taste or smell changes.

How will I know if I’m getting the right nutrition?
How can I reduce nausea?
Should I see a dentist before treatment starts?
Will my sense of smell/sense of taste return to normal? If so, when?
Can you refer me to a dietitian?

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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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