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Is loss of taste/smell for over 2 years normal?

Page last modified on: October 21, 2009
Question from Esther: Appreciate your web site. Has anyone experienced loss of smell and taste after chemo/radiation for a long time? It has been over 2 years for me. It is very depressing. Thank you.
Answers —Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.: I lost my normal taste for a full year after I finished with chemo, so I did not have the 2 years you're experiencing and did not lose sense of smell. It was a full year, which I think is longer than usual. On the other hand, no one in my oncology practice ever specifically asked me that, so I don't know where the full spectrum is of normal. Yes, mine did eventually come back.
Larissa Korde, M.D., M.P.H.: I'm not sure I know what the full spectrum of normal is either, but I would encourage you to discuss this with your physician to ensure there's not something else going on that could be causing this.

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Nutrition Through the Holidays. Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D. and Larissa Korde, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions about what and how much to eat when holiday treats abound.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D. is a registered dietitian in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a two-time breast cancer survivor.

Larissa Korde, M.D., M.P.H. is an assistant professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance of the University of Washington. She specializes in the care of breast cancer patients.

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