Can you take Mounjaro if you’ve had lung cancer?

Jump to: Understanding lung cancer remission | How Mounjaro works | Current guidelines | Practical tips | Take home message

You can take Mounjaro (tirzepatide) if you’re in complete remission from lung cancer and are no longer receiving active treatment.

Still, we’d recommend letting your doctor know if you start taking Mounjaro after having lung cancer.

It’s generally recommended to wait 6-12 months after cancer treatment ends before considering taking Mounjaro.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with approximately 48,500 new cases diagnosed annually, accounting for 13% of all cancer cases.

While historically lung cancer has had more challenging outcomes compared to some other cancers, treatment advances have significantly improved survival rates, particularly for early-stage disease.

In the UK, lung cancer five-year survival rates vary significantly by stage at diagnosis, ranging from about 57% for stage 1 to less than 5% for stage 4.

However, those who achieve complete remission often have good long-term outcomes.

Many lung cancer patients experience weight loss during treatment, and maintaining or regaining a healthy weight afterwards becomes crucial for recovery.

For those who become overweight after treatment, effective weight management can help reduce the risk of complications and cancer recurrence.

Research shows that maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce cancer recurrence risk.

Insulin is a hormone that can increase the risk of cancer if levels are high in the body. A condition known as insulin resistance.

By losing weight through healthy habits and Mounjaro, you can reduce insulin levels in the body.

Plus, losing weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet will lower chronic low-grade inflammation in the body, another risk factor for cancer recurrence.

Most lung cancer survivors will likely respond similarly to Mounjaro as the general population, achieving 20-26% total body weight loss within 12 months.

You should not take Mounjaro if you have:

• Current active cancer or ongoing cancer treatment
• Family history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Current diagnosis of thyroid cancer
• An eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia

Before starting Mounjaro after lung cancer:

1. While not essential, it’s recommended to wait 6-12 months after completing treatment
2. Schedule a medication review covering all current medicines and supplements
3. Continue all recommended cancer follow-up appointments and scans

Let’s examine the relationship between lung cancer remission and Mounjaro in greater detail.

Understanding lung cancer remission

Lung cancer remission refers to the reduction or disappearance of cancer following treatment.

NHS oncologists recognise several distinct remission categories:

Complete remission means no detectable cancer remains after treatment, often confirmed through imaging studies such as CT scans showing no evidence of disease.

Partial remission occurs when tumours shrink by at least 30% but remain detectable on imaging.

Stable disease refers to cancer that has not grown or shrunk significantly (less than 20% change in either direction).

Progressive disease indicates cancer growth of 20% or more, or new tumour sites.

For Mounjaro eligibility, complete remission is required.

In the UK, data from Cancer Research UK shows lung cancer survival has improved in recent years, with around 29% of patients surviving 10 years or more after diagnosis.

Many clinicians may recommend a waiting period of 6-12 months after completing lung cancer treatment before starting weight management medications like Mounjaro.

This recovery period allows treatment-related effects to resolve and confirms stable remission through repeated imaging and clinical assessments.

For lung cancer specifically, monitoring remission primarily involves:

• Regular CT scans every 3-6 months for the first two years
• Chest X-rays at scheduled intervals
• Blood tests in some cases
• Physical examinations to assess overall recovery and identify any new symptoms

It’s important to note that lung cancer and its treatments can significantly impact respiratory function, energy levels, and metabolism.

How Mounjaro works

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a dual-action weight-loss injection that works by lowering hunger and reducing the rewarding effects of food.

The medication mimics two hormones – GLP-1 and GIP – that your body naturally produces in response to eating.

These hormones regulate appetite through multiple mechanisms:

1. They slow gastric emptying by 30-40%, keeping food in your stomach longer so you feel fuller for longer
2. They directly signal your brain’s hypothalamus (appetite control centre), reducing hunger sensations and food cravings
3. They improve insulin sensitivity by 20-30%, helping your body process blood sugar more efficiently and reducing blood glucose spikes that can trigger hunger

Research published in JAMA in 2024 shows that Mounjaro leads to an average weight loss of approximately 26% after 72 weeks of treatment.

For someone weighing 100 kg, this could represent approximately 26 kg of weight loss, although individual results vary based on starting BMI, diet, physical activity, and medical history.

Mounjaro offers additional benefits that may be particularly relevant for lung cancer survivors:

Improved breathing capacity: Weight loss can reduce pressure on the diaphragm and improve breathing efficiency, which may be beneficial after lung surgery or radiation.

Reduced inflammation: The medication lowers inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, addressing the chronic inflammation associated with both cancer risk and recovery.

Improved metabolic health: Better glucose control helps manage blood sugar levels, which can be affected by certain cancer treatments, such as steroids, often used during lung cancer therapy.

Cardiovascular benefits: Improved heart health is important for overall recovery and long-term health after cancer treatment.

The way Mounjaro works doesn’t interact with the biological mechanisms involved in lung cancer development or progression.

The hormones it mimics affect hunger regulation and metabolic processes rather than cellular pathways associated with lung cancer.

Current guidelines

UK medical authorities have established clear guidelines regarding Mounjaro eligibility for cancer patients and survivors:

You can’t take Mounjaro if you have:

• A current cancer diagnosis requiring treatment
• A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• A current thyroid cancer diagnosis

You can take Mounjaro if:

• You’ve completed all lung cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy)
• Your oncologist has documented complete remission in your medical records
• A minimum of 6 months has passed since your active treatment ended (12 months recommended)
• You meet standard eligibility criteria (BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with weight-related conditions)
• Your most recent follow-up scans and tests show no evidence of disease

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has not identified any specific contraindications for GLP-1 medications in cancer survivors who meet these criteria.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) acknowledges that clinical trials for Mounjaro excluded patients with a recent history of cancer.

However, their current guidance permits use in cancer survivors in complete remission based on:

1. The medication’s known mechanisms of action
2. The absence of biological pathways that would increase cancer risk
3. The potential benefits of weight management for cancer survivors

For lung cancer survivors specifically, maintaining an appropriate weight is often recommended as part of overall health management.

According to research, both excessive weight loss and obesity can impact quality of life and potentially influence long-term outcomes after lung cancer treatment.

Practical tips

1. Keep in touch with your healthcare team

Maintaining open communication with your medical providers is crucial.

We recommend informing your GP, oncologist, and respiratory specialist (if you have one) that you’re starting Mounjaro.

Second Nature’s monthly check-in forms, reviewed by our clinical team, provide an additional layer of safety monitoring throughout your treatment.

These regular assessments help identify any concerns early, ensuring your medication experience remains safe and effective.

Continue regular follow-up scans and appointments as recommended by your specialist. Report any new respiratory symptoms or changes in breathing promptly.

2. Eat a diet based on whole foods

Nourishing your body with nutrient-dense foods becomes especially important when taking Mounjaro after lung cancer treatment.

Second Nature’s balanced plate model offers a foundation to build a healthy diet on:

• Fill half your plate with a variety of non-starchy vegetables to provide essential vitamins, minerals, fibre, and plant compounds that support overall health
• Dedicate a quarter of your plate to quality protein sources – like poultry, fish, eggs, lean meat, tofu, or legumes – which become especially crucial during weight loss to preserve precious muscle mass
• The remaining quarter accommodates complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, or whole grains, providing sustained energy without blood sugar spikes
• Include a tablespoon of fats from whole foods like butter, extra virgin olive oil, avocado, or nuts, which help your body absorb essential nutrients

Lung cancer survivors should pay special attention to overall nutrition, aiming for nutrient-dense foods that support healing and recovery. Small, frequent meals may be easier to manage if you experience fatigue or reduced appetite.

3. Exercise regularly

Physical activity should be approached thoughtfully after lung cancer treatment, with attention to your respiratory capacity.

Start with gentle activities like walking, gradually increasing duration and intensity as your strength and stamina improve.

If you experience shortness of breath, work with a physiotherapist or exercise specialist who has experience with cancer recovery to develop an appropriate exercise plan.

Even small amounts of regular movement can improve your energy levels, support healthy weight management, and enhance quality of life.

Consider activities that combine gentle movement with mindfulness, such as tai chi or yoga, which can improve both physical and emotional wellbeing during recovery.

Take home message

Lung cancer survivors in complete remission can safely take Mounjaro, with research suggesting weight management may improve quality of life and overall health outcomes.

The healthy habits that support long-term weight loss will also improve overall health and may support recovery by:

• Lowering chronic inflammation
• Improving respiratory function
• Enhancing energy levels
• Supporting immune system recovery

For lung cancer survivors, addressing both weight and nutritional status is important, as both underweight and overweight conditions can impact recovery and quality of life.

Remember these key points when considering Mounjaro after lung cancer:

1. Ensure you’ve been declared in complete remission with stable imaging results
2. Continue all recommended cancer follow-up care and monitoring
3. Adapt exercise and nutrition to your specific respiratory capacity and needs
4. Keep your healthcare team informed about your weight management plans
5. Take advantage of Second Nature’s clinical monitoring for ongoing safety

Second Nature’s medication programme

Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme.

Why should you choose Second Nature over other providers, assuming you’re eligible?

For peace of mind.

Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.

While our Mounjaro weight-loss programme is private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programme focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.

We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.