Taste, smell and appetite changes

Having treatments to the head, neck and mouth area may affect your sense of taste and smell.

Learn more about:

• Overview
• How to manage taste and smell changes
• Video: How to eat well after a cancer diagnosis
• Podcast: Appetite Loss and Nausea

Overview

After some surgeries to the nasal cavity, you may lose your sense of smell, and your sense of taste may also be affected. If you have a laryngectomy, air will no longer pass through your nose, which can affect your sense of smell. Surgery to the mouth may also change how food tastes.

Some treatments, especially radiation therapy, can change the way the salivary glands work and affect the flavour of food. Food may taste bitter or metallic, or may not have as much flavour as before.

It is important to try to keep eating well so your body gets enough nourishment to maintain your weight. If you lose most or all of your sense of taste, experiment with different textures and temperatures to make food more enjoyable. You could also focus on other appealing aspects of food, such as the colours and presentation of the meal.

Another option is to do something else while eating, such as watching TV or reading a book – this might distract you from the food not tasting like it did before.

It can take several months for your sense of taste and smell to return to normal, and this may affect your appetite. If your sense of smell continues to be affected, a speech pathologist may be able to teach you a technique to help you regain your ability to smell. In some cases, taste changes may be permanent.

For more on this, see Nutrition and cancer and Taste and smell changes, or listen to the podcast below.

How to manage taste and smell changes

→ READ MORE: Swallowing difficulties

Video: How to eat well after a cancer diagnosis

Podcast: Appetite Loss and Nausea

Listen to more of our podcast for people affected by cancer