Overview
The senses of taste and smell work together to help us experience flavour.
Cancer treatment can change how we taste, smell and notice the texture of food. This can happen when having chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy treatment. Changes to taste and smell are also common for people with head and neck cancers.
Some cancer treatments can also cause conditions such as dry mouth (xerostomia), which affect taste and smell.
Changes in taste and smell can cause loss of appetite and weight loss, but these can be managed. Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 to talk it through with our qualified professional.
What's in this fact sheet
About taste and smell changes
Find out how cancer treatment can affect taste and smell, and how long the changes last. Common issues include a metallic or bitter taste, and a loss of taste or smell.
The impact of treatments on taste and smell
Discover tips for managing taste and smell issues and how cancer treatment can cause conditions such as dry mouth (xerostomia) and inflammation (mucositis).
Managing taste and smell changes
Learn easy ways to manage taste and smell side effects, including keeping a food diary, eating small amounts and using a straw.
Questions for your doctor
It can be a good idea to prepare a list of questions before your appointments. See our list of questions about taste and smell changes.
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