Where you advised to get a Vitamin and Mineral check when you first found out you had cancer?

CindyHeadley
CindyHeadley Member Posts: 16 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

I've been doing a lot of research and I keep running across how being defiencent in Vitamins and Minerals can lead to or at least are linked to increasing the risk of cancer... http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20110429/low-vitamin-d-linked-to-aggressive-breast-cancer

When you first found out you had cancer did anyone's doctors advise you to get your vitamins and minerals checked immediately? Vitamin D, E and Iodine are big players in this. Some reports show that the tumor would shrink or go away when the defiencent vitamin was brought back into the body. 

I am mad that the medical world never brought this up to me. Luckily my Naturopath did.

My family doctor said the Vit D level should be at least 30.
My Naturopath wants my levels between 40 and 50.
The internet says the optimal levels are 50 to 70 and that someone with cancer shoud have their level between 70 and 100 to help fight the disease.

My levels were 24.2

Comments

  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #2
    My oncologist

    Told me that my vitamin D levels were low (and that I was anemic).  He has had me on vitamin D pills now for 5 years.  While it is true that studies show that some vitamin/mineral deficiencies can be a factor leading to a higer risk of cancer, I think that most everyone (at least in the USA) is vitamin D deficient.  It is great to make sure you get your vitamins and minerals in check.  I just don't think that this is the necessarily the silver bullet for cancer.  It is one factor and to the extent possible that you can erase these factors in your body, you most definitely should!

  • CindyHeadley
    CindyHeadley Member Posts: 16 Member
    #3
    Clementine, did your

    Clementine, did your oncologist tell you about your vit D when you first met with him/her or was it after you had started treatment. I find it interesting that some doctors will bring up vitamins/minerals and others don't. 

    I agree there are so many factors. My thinking is if cancer can only grow in a body that is unbalanced: whether that be one deficient in vitamins/minerals, an acidic ph balance instead of neutral/alkinline, or one that is inflammed or infected, etc. that a doctor would want to help the patient restore the body so that it is not a good environment for cancer. 

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    No I was not advised - Didnt need to be!

    No I was not advised to have Vit/Min tests done - didn't need to as I had been monitored for 14 yrs because of dealing with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) after moving here.  I have been able to keep my D level welll within the 'normal' range with the use of my light box in winter and Vit D pills daily.  So when DXd IBC, my Vit D level was fine and had been for yrs (still is)  In fact the next check of it will be next Mon.

    I have never been anemic or even close to being.  Since 1/2 way through adjuvant Taxol, I have had to fight low K (potassium) but am able to keep it up and in appropriate ratio (which is important) with Mg and Zn (always in normal ranges) by taking mega doses of it.

    Perhaps there is a correlation  between low Vit D and cancer, perhaps not.  There is an almost 'epidemic' of low D in today's world at least in the northern part of the USA today.  If one looks enough on the internet, some supposed report/research can be found that claims to 'support' any idea - factual or not.

     

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

     

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #5
    I've heard this too

    While I'm sure that vitamin deficiencies play some role in cancer, taking too many vitamins does too! I think you are searching too much for a reason you got cancer. My onc told me only about 25% of cases he sees have some risk factor involvement. Cancer strikes the healthy every day and I was one of them (no risk factors at all). I've learned to accept that I was just unlucky.

  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #6
    CindyHeadley said:

    Clementine, did your

    Clementine, did your oncologist tell you about your vit D when you first met with him/her or was it after you had started treatment. I find it interesting that some doctors will bring up vitamins/minerals and others don't. 

    I agree there are so many factors. My thinking is if cancer can only grow in a body that is unbalanced: whether that be one deficient in vitamins/minerals, an acidic ph balance instead of neutral/alkinline, or one that is inflammed or infected, etc. that a doctor would want to help the patient restore the body so that it is not a good environment for cancer. 

    I don't recall exactly when

    my low vitamin D was brought to my attention.  I'm pretty sure, however, it was after I finished chemo since I recall my doctor telling me that there isn't much in the way of studies on how people react to vitamins while on chemo.  Plus, I was on chemo during the summer and that is when people tend to have higher vitamin D levels (but like Rague said, pretty much everyone is deficient even in the summer).

    I agree, anything you can do to make your body a less hospitable environment for cancer the better. 

    Best,

    Clementine

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #7
    button2 said:

    I've heard this too

    While I'm sure that vitamin deficiencies play some role in cancer, taking too many vitamins does too! I think you are searching too much for a reason you got cancer. My onc told me only about 25% of cases he sees have some risk factor involvement. Cancer strikes the healthy every day and I was one of them (no risk factors at all). I've learned to accept that I was just unlucky.

    No risk factors for me either, Anna!

    It's very hard to accept when there are no risk factors but here we sit.  My GYN had always checked my vitamin D level before cancer.  My level was okay but changed with age.  I eventually had to take the supplement.  My PCP is also very good about checking vitamin/mineral levels and that began long before bc.  I don't believe in overloading on supplements.  I like a combination of proper nutrition and exercise, too.  Linda   

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #8
    my vit d levels were low b4 being dx. I was told by

    My endocrinologist of link between low vit d, low b12, thyroid issues and bc. I did a 4 no. Run of chemo, mastectormy. No rad s at that time. I got 8 1/2 years cancer free. Then stage iv. I am in a support group. One lady w/bc er+, pr+, her 2 -, chose the natural route. Was upset when her natural Dr, asked for blood work after a year. He told her if the cancer markers went up, then natural tx was not working and she's would need to make other decisions. He said he needs t o know what he is treating and would recommend she see an onco if her blood work had gotten worse. She was so mad, but last anyone heard, she had blood drawn and natural Dr.Was not treating her so apparently she was not doing well, she was not feeling good or looking healthy when I last saw her. She has not been back since that visit. I wish you the best, and if nothing else, at least take hormone blockers such as tamoxifen or' AROMASIN! , being trip positive tells you your hormones are feeding the cancer cells.

    Being stage iv is no picnic either!It is your choice but at least a hormone blocker would block some of what is Dr feeding your cancer.

    Iimproved my diet, mostly vegetables,, organic, and that with tx was not Enid!

    Wish you the best!

    Carol

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #9
    vitamins

    My oncologist asked if I was taking vitamins and he told me  to stop till after treatment. The chemo kills cells and vitamins build you up. So it is just adding more fuel to the fire. So to speak. 

     

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #10
    Vitamins & Minerals*

    I've always taken Vitamins & Minerals and always exercised....was never overweight...was never depressed until my husband died.   Personally I believe that Depression might be a big factor in Cancer.    However...once I found that lump and got the biop...and the results....of BC?  There was not one moment that I considered taking vitamins and minerals and eating better to fight Cancer.....because the facts are in plain view.  They are saving lives now which would not have been saved many years ago.   If I had contracted Breast Cancer in the 1980s or 1990s I probably would not be here to talk about the FACT that I AM STILL HERE.    Fear & Denial are very strong factors.....but if we want to be Survivors we need to face them both......and then go forward with our best choices and with the help of our God and our Family and Friends.   Sending you Prayers for Strength & Courage and I hope you change your mind and seek the best professional medical help available.   Glo

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