BMI, Diet, and NED

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MandiePandie
MandiePandie Member Posts: 109 Member
edited May 2022 in Colorectal Cancer #1

Is anyone here at a higher BMI than they should be and long time NED? This study says it doesn't seem to matter for long term survival but I'm not sure if anyone has more info.

Does body mass index impact the number of LNs harvested and influence long-term survival rate in patients with stage III colon cancer? - PubMed (nih.gov)

Diet and weight is a point of contention between me and my dad and I am desperately trying to become more helpful and patient and less judgmental but damn its hard when I just love him oh so much and I feel like he has a golden opportunity to stay NED, yet he chooses to each Kolaches (I guess its a sausage pastry thing idk) and fast food and desserts and other stuff and his BMI is already back up to his prediagnosis of 39. I KNOW its a coping mechanism on my part to try and blame something, I know weight loss is hard and its not fair for me to judge him. After all I think he has a bit of the whole "I almost died so I am gonna enjoy today mentality". Its just hard not to confuse a zebra not being able to change his stripes with my dad doesnt love me enough to change his diet and lose weight.


I guess I am just looking for any over 50 men who have stayed NED without changing their diet and with a high BMI. Not because I know that means my dad will be the same, but just because it will make me feel better to know its possible lol. Also, any input from anyone in a similar situation or if things have helped you change diet? Do you think it matters? Any studies? Am I just being disrespectful? Any comments welcome. Love y'all.

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  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    edited May 2022 #2
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    I am 63, Stage IV, eight years NED, and my diet has changed very little. I am overweight, though not grossly. I do not know what my BMI is, and to be honest, I don't want to know.

    I enjoy food - I am watching Jamie Oliver, as I type - and have my favourites, which I will not give up. I have a motto that you may have heard 'Pick your poison'. And that is what I do.

    I don't do anything low or no fat. I have just made a batch of whole milk yogurt.

    BUT.... I did just have a massive heart attack, and pulled through by the skin of my teeth. thus, I need to adjust my cholesterol intake, but, I will continue to eat those goodies, just in moderation.

    I would suggest you let your dad eat what and how he wants. I understand where you're coming from, but he is entitled to his decisions.

    We had a member on the forum, who told me a week before she died, how she wished she had enjoyed herself just a bit more. She was on a strict diet, and trying thinks like coffee enemas and charcoal. While they may be good, they didn't help her. The moral to that story is, if you dad does succumb, you may find yourself wishing you had let him have his fun while it lastsed - as long as he's not going over the top.

    These are just my own, personal opinions.

    I wish your dad the best.

    Tru

  • TheLadySkye
    TheLadySkye Member Posts: 203 Member
    #3
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    If it helps at all, I have been NED since 2014. I actually had many long chats with my docs, specialists, and oncologists about diet. While all agreed that eating healthfully is a good idea, across the board they didn't feel that any special diet would hurt or cause harm. I was specifically told I did not need to avoid sugar, eat plant based, etc. Moderation and eating well is a good idea for overall health, but there was no need to limit or forgo any of my favorite goodies. I like to cook and I like cheese, so...ya know ;)

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,280 Member
    #4
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    Hi Mandie, I've been on the heavy side since diagnosis, I was 6 foot even, 235 or so, then dropped a fair amount on the hospital /chemo diet [lol], stayed at 210ish for quite a while. Now I've slid back up to 237 lbs, all of this in a span from 49yo to 64 yo. Ned now for 7 1/2 years. I eat what I like, my BMI must be 33 or more. I'm torn between being healthy and enjoying my time too. I'd avoid equating your pop's habits with his love for you, it's an unfair premise that makes you the victim. He needs to live his life and make his choices, though it's a loving thing that you push him to make better, healthier choices. Being heavier certainly ups the risk for most things, including cancer. If I could dial my energy up a bit, I'd rather burn more calories and eat what I like, but my complicating factor is the lack of cartilage in my ankles/feet, and the need to be available to help or cover for my son in the family business, which is specialized, physical contracting work. So I sit more than I'd like. If you can get him moving more, it may accomplish the same goal. Good luck!!..................................Dave

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