Cancer diets...

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Hissy_Fitz
Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I have heard everything, from "Cancer feeds on acid; don't eat citrus fruit", to "Cancer feeds on sugar; don't eat sweets", and even, "Asparagus will cure/prevent Cancer". My doctor tells his patients to eat whatever you want, but if your hemaglobin is low, you need to take a multi-vitamin with iron and eat liver. If you can't stomach liver, at least eat some red meat. I was wondering what advice others have gotten from their doctor regarding a link between Cancer and food stuffs.
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  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #2
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    Hi,
    I guess all of us have heard or read the same advice regarding multi anti cancer diet suggestions.

    My oncologist said to eat everything, including sugar, which turns to glucose and feeds all cells. He said jokingly, cancer cells need oxygen too, and we can't do anything about that!

    I make calves liver with onions, don't overcook it, sprinkle it with onion powder and it's quite tasty. Chopped liver on Rye bread with a slice of Bermuda onion is good too.

    You're so right about meat thank goodness, I believe cooked spinach and beets have iron too.

    I also take a multi vitamin with iron in it, and a low dose iron pill with 48mg. I asked my oncologist first and he ok'd that too.
    I understand a big problem with my chemo, Gemzar is a big drop in the blood counts, so I'm concerned with trying to keep them up.

    I heard the story about pureed asparagus, but it was found to be not useful.

    We all hope we're doing the best we can for our poor bodies.

    Take care and feel well.
    Jane
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #3
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    diet
    This topic has always been a source of concern for me. My doctors and nutritionist at sloan kettering told me 'everything in moderation'. There is no nutritional cure. I guess we get a bit desperate looking for anyway to increase our odds of staying/going into remission. Before I became ill with cancer I ate healthy!! I know plenty of unhealty people who don't get cancer. Whether it be drug abuse, alcohol abuse, poor diet and they don't have cancer. It also annoys me when I read you can lower your risk of cancer by maintaining a healthy body weight and eating healthy foods. Does this mean only overweight, unhealthy eaters get cancer?? Sorry to go on and on about this. To answer you question, I wasn't given any real dietary advice although I did ask about it. Everything in moderation is what I was told.
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #4
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    Diets
    My doctor/nurses said eat whatever you want, you need the calories. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies. Drink A LOT of water. I asked, "so I can eat red meat 7 times a week and that is ok"? The reply was yes, it is fine because you need the protein. The only thing they said not to do is take supplements like anti-oxidants, a multi-vitamin is OK. I have taken the advice, eat a varied, healthy diet with sweets and I am doing good with the chemo: minimal side effects. I WISH a certain diet alone could change the course of OVCA!
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #5
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    MK_4Dani said:

    Diets
    My doctor/nurses said eat whatever you want, you need the calories. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies. Drink A LOT of water. I asked, "so I can eat red meat 7 times a week and that is ok"? The reply was yes, it is fine because you need the protein. The only thing they said not to do is take supplements like anti-oxidants, a multi-vitamin is OK. I have taken the advice, eat a varied, healthy diet with sweets and I am doing good with the chemo: minimal side effects. I WISH a certain diet alone could change the course of OVCA!

    Why no anti oxidants
    Hi,
    I was curious about why you were told not to take anti oxidants and what that includes?

    I'd really appreciate the information, thanks.
    Jane
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #6
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    Food
    I've always had a healthy diet including brown rice, green tea, lot's of fish and vegies, and worked out. My parents and siblings are overweight and don't, so it has been a source of wonderment for all of us. After my recurrence I did read, Anti-Cancer and found his suggestions helpful. He is a doctor who got brain cancer himself, and has a very holistic approach (body, mind and spirit). I do think that regardless of what you eat, reducing stress is the most important. So, if eating healthy adds to stress in your life, it probably just cancels out the good stuff anyway. So, my theory is to have balance in it all. I happen to love eating healthy and coming up with healthy recipes that taste good, so I've continued to do that.

    My doctors all say, "Eat whatever you want in moderation" and "Don't waste you money on all kinds of expensive supplements. Your money is better spent on a vacation."

    Kathleen:)
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #7
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    jane65 said:

    Why no anti oxidants
    Hi,
    I was curious about why you were told not to take anti oxidants and what that includes?

    I'd really appreciate the information, thanks.
    Jane

    anti oxidants
    The theory is that antioxidants may protect the cancer cells. There are lots of alternative theories that tout IV antioxidants and IV vitamins which is VERY expensive and usually not covered by insurance. You can find out more information through the american cancer society. They sent me free information about it. They DO NOT recommend it as other major cancer centers do not as well. They do not recommend it because there is no proof that it works and that it may actually protect the cancer cells. Out of desperation I looked into it. You can read a TON of stuff online for and against. After realizing I ate pretty good before I was diagnosed I decided to spend my time and money on proven traditional medicine. My oncologist told me that those sites prey on people's fears.
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #8
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    Food
    My doctor too has no real limitations on anything, even activity. She says do what you can when you can, enjoy life.

    I eat as I have always eaten (most my life). In moderation (well, sometimes those fritos......). My husband says "You have eaten healthy, exercised, etc. all your life and you are the one who gets cancer".

    I take a complete multi-vitamin, B100, Essential Omega III, Calcium and Slow Release Iron 50mg. Mostly everyday - after chemo I have a hard time getting some things down for a few days.

    Libby
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #9
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    LPack said:

    Food
    My doctor too has no real limitations on anything, even activity. She says do what you can when you can, enjoy life.

    I eat as I have always eaten (most my life). In moderation (well, sometimes those fritos......). My husband says "You have eaten healthy, exercised, etc. all your life and you are the one who gets cancer".

    I take a complete multi-vitamin, B100, Essential Omega III, Calcium and Slow Release Iron 50mg. Mostly everyday - after chemo I have a hard time getting some things down for a few days.

    Libby

    Food cravings and cancer
    I had a really hard time eating after my surgery. I was on TPN feeding in the hospital and still had trouble eating for several weeks after I came home. I could not stand the thought of anything sweet for a long time. And bread tasted so salty, I could not eat it.

    I wanted nothing but fruit for the longest, and still eat a lot of fruit. I have no idea what brought these changes about, but except for making an effort to eat red meat several times a week (for my low hemaglobin), I just eat whatever sounds good to me. Yesterday, leftover pizza and ice cream sounded really good....LOL.

    Bing cherries have started appearing in the local grocery stores and so far, I have put away a bag and a half. YUM!
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #10
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    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Food cravings and cancer
    I had a really hard time eating after my surgery. I was on TPN feeding in the hospital and still had trouble eating for several weeks after I came home. I could not stand the thought of anything sweet for a long time. And bread tasted so salty, I could not eat it.

    I wanted nothing but fruit for the longest, and still eat a lot of fruit. I have no idea what brought these changes about, but except for making an effort to eat red meat several times a week (for my low hemaglobin), I just eat whatever sounds good to me. Yesterday, leftover pizza and ice cream sounded really good....LOL.

    Bing cherries have started appearing in the local grocery stores and so far, I have put away a bag and a half. YUM!

    Yum!
    Pizza and ice cream always sound good, so do those cherries!

    Eat what you want, and enjoy it, we need to find happiness and if it's in the food department... go for it.
    Jane
  • tmama
    tmama Member Posts: 3
    #11
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    jane65 said:

    Yum!
    Pizza and ice cream always sound good, so do those cherries!

    Eat what you want, and enjoy it, we need to find happiness and if it's in the food department... go for it.
    Jane

    Cancer Diet
    I was always a good eater, exerciser, vitamin taker,so when I got a cancer diagnosis I felt my body betrayed me. I handled both my surgery and treatment very well. People, nurses and doctors say this is because "I am healthy". Yoo Hoo, I had cancer. Anyhow, getting back to my regular routine was difficult. I felt I should have had more hot fudge sundaes along the way. When I returned to my regular, holistic internist, she took me off all my vitamins and gave me a list of herbs to take.
    She told me first to okay it with my Sloan Kettering oncologist, who didn't seem concerned. I have been taking several types of mushrooms, green tea,cruceferous vegetables and some other things. I feel great, which I have felt all along. I am getting out of a recent depression so I have begun exercising once again. In essence I have gone back to everything I have always done out of sheer habit. The one thing I was told not to have was red wine. That surprised me because I have read how good it is for everything. Too many hormones and a recent article I read also advised cancer patients to not drink it. This is the first time I have ever done anything as far as cancer is concerned. I read very little about my diagnosis of PPC. I was and am too scared to read about it. I have not gone to a support group because I don't want to hear bad or negative things. I guess I am still in denial. Well, thanks all of you for listening to me.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #12
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • survivor3innj
    survivor3innj Member Posts: 22
    #13
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Show of hands
    I just had to make a comment on this topic.It seems that most of us are rather healthy eaters. Granted, I am a breast cancer survivor, but I'm really curious as to how many of us had additional stress right before we were diagnosed. I'm with Kathleen on the relation of stress and cancer. I've never actually seen documentation on the percentages. Has anyone else? Can we do our own little survey? I'm on the side of additional stress- yes!!
  • survivor3innj
    survivor3innj Member Posts: 22
    #14
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Show of hands
    I just had to make a comment on this topic.It seems that most of us are rather healthy eaters. Granted, I am a breast cancer survivor, but I'm really curious as to how many of us had additional stress right before we were diagnosed. I'm with Kathleen on the relation of stress and cancer. I've never actually seen documentation on the percentages. Has anyone else? Can we do our own little survey? I'm on the side of additional stress- yes!!
  • survivor3innj
    survivor3innj Member Posts: 22
    #15
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Show of hands
    I just had to make a comment on this topic.It seems that most of us are rather healthy eaters. Granted, I am a breast cancer survivor, but I'm really curious as to how many of us had additional stress right before we were diagnosed. I'm with Kathleen on the relation of stress and cancer. I've never actually seen documentation on the percentages. Has anyone else? Can we do our own little survey? I'm on the side of additional stress- yes!!
  • survivor3innj
    survivor3innj Member Posts: 22
    #16
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    survivor3innj said:

    Show of hands
    I just had to make a comment on this topic.It seems that most of us are rather healthy eaters. Granted, I am a breast cancer survivor, but I'm really curious as to how many of us had additional stress right before we were diagnosed. I'm with Kathleen on the relation of stress and cancer. I've never actually seen documentation on the percentages. Has anyone else? Can we do our own little survey? I'm on the side of additional stress- yes!!

    Sorry
    It wouldn't let me post my comment and then I got two.
  • survivor3innj
    survivor3innj Member Posts: 22
    #17
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    survivor3innj said:

    Sorry
    It wouldn't let me post my comment and then I got two.

    Oh no!!!
    It's three. Maybe my computer is getting tired!! Sorry again!
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231
    #18
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    survivor3innj said:

    Show of hands
    I just had to make a comment on this topic.It seems that most of us are rather healthy eaters. Granted, I am a breast cancer survivor, but I'm really curious as to how many of us had additional stress right before we were diagnosed. I'm with Kathleen on the relation of stress and cancer. I've never actually seen documentation on the percentages. Has anyone else? Can we do our own little survey? I'm on the side of additional stress- yes!!

    Stress
    I moved to another state after living in one state my entire life so i could be close to family in May 2005...by Jan 1 2006 1 brother had died of cancer and the other brother committed suicide..then my Mom went off the deep end because of the lost of her boys.....All of 2006 was in turmoil with her.....then Dad got very ill in 2007 and Mom had 2 operations....I am not making this up....my life sucked! April 3rd 2008 I was DX with OVCA stage 3C......I really think the stress contributed to it big time.
    ~Joan
    P.S. My Dad died in Sept 2009....so now my Mom at 90 needs help. I have been NED and no chemo since Oct 2008
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #19
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    survivor3innj said:

    Show of hands
    I just had to make a comment on this topic.It seems that most of us are rather healthy eaters. Granted, I am a breast cancer survivor, but I'm really curious as to how many of us had additional stress right before we were diagnosed. I'm with Kathleen on the relation of stress and cancer. I've never actually seen documentation on the percentages. Has anyone else? Can we do our own little survey? I'm on the side of additional stress- yes!!

    Show of hands - stress
    Hi,
    I think you should start a new thread for this because I am curious as well. Yes, I considered myself a somewhat healthy eater, good physical shape, within ideal body weight and active! I was under an usual amount of stress at work for at least a year to two years prior to me being diagnosed. I would leave work crying. I started having palpations and mild anxiety attacks due to work. Proir to be being diagnosed we had a change in management and things were better but I think the damage was done. I always thought the stress I was under lead to my becoming ill. As someome posted previosly, I felt as if my body betrayed me because I condsidered myself healthy!!
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #20
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    survivor3innj said:

    Show of hands
    I just had to make a comment on this topic.It seems that most of us are rather healthy eaters. Granted, I am a breast cancer survivor, but I'm really curious as to how many of us had additional stress right before we were diagnosed. I'm with Kathleen on the relation of stress and cancer. I've never actually seen documentation on the percentages. Has anyone else? Can we do our own little survey? I'm on the side of additional stress- yes!!

    My experience.......
    My doctor told me that I had probably had the tumor for a year or more before I was diagnosed, so it's really hard to look back that far and measure with any accuracy the degree of stress in my life at that crucial moment - when cancer first reared its ugly head. I guess it wasn't overwhelming, or I would surely remember.
  • tmama
    tmama Member Posts: 3
    #21
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    nancy591 said:

    Show of hands - stress
    Hi,
    I think you should start a new thread for this because I am curious as well. Yes, I considered myself a somewhat healthy eater, good physical shape, within ideal body weight and active! I was under an usual amount of stress at work for at least a year to two years prior to me being diagnosed. I would leave work crying. I started having palpations and mild anxiety attacks due to work. Proir to be being diagnosed we had a change in management and things were better but I think the damage was done. I always thought the stress I was under lead to my becoming ill. As someome posted previosly, I felt as if my body betrayed me because I condsidered myself healthy!!

    Stress
    Okay Girls, Now who doesn't have stress? Work, Kids, Life, Relationships, they all are stressful. Tell me there is no one out there who is calm who hasn't had cancer?
    I think anything can set it off. It's just meant to be. I do believe that eating and exercising makes the rest of your body stronger and in turn your mind. All I can say is "know your body". I knew something was wrong and the doctors poo pooed me for four months. That even included a hospital stay and extensive testing. Never showed, but I knew something was wrong. Know your body and be aware of changes, no matter how subtle report them to your doctor. Meanwhile, everyone does what they think is best for them. It is interesting to read what other people do. Keep up the good work ladies. Sue

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