What causes cancer?

Looking forward to reading your book!  

unknown said:

Oh the conflicting what to eat things.

I too have read lots, don't do antioxidents, don't eat fresh vegetables/eat fresh vegetables.  Stay away from salted processed foods, etc.  The only thing that appeals to me when I'm not hungry is salads.  Yup, along with blue cheese sprinkles and blue cheese dressing.  Oh and goats milk feta (in salty brine).  This last time I ate sugary things, a donut, a couple of soft cookies, even a piece of fudge.  Now I know they say cancer feeds off of glucose, maybe sugar, so I don't necessarily eat them, but as I was at my pity party the other night at 4.03 in the morning after not sleeping at all, I decided if death is in my near future, I don't have time to waste eating things or doing things that will prolong me 2-10 months.  I agree that some things are absolutely more bad than others, but since they can't even come up with anything new treatment wise, how can they say that things in our life cause or contribute to cancer.  Hugs Nancy

I have had a lot of helpful people tell me many stories about what to eat and what not to eat.  I decided that since I raelly do try to eat mostly healthy food, that if I want a treat, I will have one.  Life is two short not to enjoy some of the little things.  I had a banana split Blizzard on my way home from chemo today.  I figured that I had earned it.  Hugs and prayers Lou Ann

My doctor told me that everyone has cancer cells in their body and that something triggers them to multiply and grow. So everyone can potentially develope cancer in their lifetime. Right after he did my hysterectamy he developed cancer and died in October. He was 52 and a cancer doctor and still couldn't catch it in time to save himself.

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

I have to Agree!

I came to the conclusion that I was incredibly healthy before cancer and decided to stick with my "diet" post chemo...

So, I eat beef, chicken, vegetables, fruit, etc. I also eat candy, cake, cookies, etc...  All within enough moderation to maintain my weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.  In other words... I eat whatever the heck I feel like.  I just don't over eat any of it....

I think we all have to do what feels right for us. Life is too short to restrict things that make us happy. I think I'll have a Snickers now!

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Hi Cindi, Don's Wife and Eldri!

Hello. My name is Libby, and I am a sugar addict.

I ran the Paris marathon April 12, 2015, three months before my diagnosis and surgery. I was running 30-35 miles a week. I enjoyed excellent health, high energy and maintained a normal weight. I ate something sweet every day, sometimes several dessert a day, and a couple of tablespoons (or more) of ice cream every day in the summer. Like Cindi, I have always eaten what I wanted.

I LOVE that you are so realistic about nutrition. Not too long ago, I was so darned nauseated that I couldn't imagine eating a snickers or a cookie. On a 5'7" frame, I was 130 pounds in July, just before being diagnosed with Stage IV B USPC. The big GYN surgery involved  placement of an ileostomy. Three weeks after surgery, I developed significant abdominal distention, nausea and vomiting. I was hospitalized and found to have massive ascites, infected with e coli. A drain was placed to remove the infected abdominal ascites. In one week, I lost 18 liters of Protein rich fluid. My weight dropped to 92 pounds, and i was told to eat and drink high protein foods and drinks. Honestly, I don't know how I survived those weeks. I had no appetite and had to force every swallow of food. And if that wasn't bad enough, I battled persistent and significant dehydration from a "high output" ileostomy. I developed painful abdominal spasms, which were later discovered were caused by several small bowel obstructions. Without an omentum to support the bowel and massive adhesions from the infected peritoneal fluid, the small bowel developed acute turns and knuckling, and nearly complete bowel obstruction. After surgery to release the small bowel, and several areas of small bowel resection, the abdominal pain has resolved and now I feel great. I am happy to say that my appetite has returned with more verocity than ever. I was able to resume the treatment plan, and completed the 6th cycle of Taxol/Carbo on Feb 2. I have been eating everything in sight! I'm hungry now...for a Snickers (thanks, Cindi for reminding me how tasty they are ).

But, I just finished reading the (audio) book "Anti Cancer. A New Way of Life". One of the four major components of living an Anti Cancer Way of life is diet. As I understand it, eating high glycemic snacks (refined sugar) causes a rapid rise in the blood sugar, a rapid rise in insulin, and release of IGF (insulin like growth factor). IGF is a systemic inflammatory substance that perpetuates cancer growth. So I have committed myself to eliminating refined sugar from my diet. Today is the 4th day of no refined sugar. I'm waiting for the cravings  to fade. I did use a bit of Agave Nectar in my Pomegranite Green Tea. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

The author did say, that eating a square or two of dark chocolate at the end of a meal would not be expected to result in a sudden rise in blood sugar, insulin and IGF. And that having one glass of red wine with dinner is good for us. Sounds good to me!

Hugs to all of you. 

EZLiving66 said:

Wow!  But my point exactly -

Wow!  But my point exactly - sometimes no matter what you do or don't do, you still get cancer.  And then, sometimes in spite of yourself, you recover.....or you don't.

Love,

Eldri

two weeks ago, a very respected and beloved neurosurgeon  from a neighboring town passed away from Brain cancer.  he was diagnosed less than a year ago.  he had treated many people for the same deasese that took his life.

My father died at age 45 from lymphoma.  He lived on a farm all his life and raised almost all of the food we ate.  All most no proceseed food.  All our meat was grain fed no additives.  I doupt that the flour my mom used was bleached.  It cam from a local mill.  Our fruit and vegetables were never sprayed with chemicals. No alcohol.  He did very occasionaly smoke a pipe.  Yet he died at a very young age.

A very wonderful lady that I worked with went the holistic route, so sure it would cure her.  she lived just over a year.

We just don't know.  Lou Ann

Sandy3185 said:

What to do, what to do?

What to eat, how much exercise is right, radiation, chemo, everything is a guessing game. There is so much more to learn and discover. I, for one, don't even understand what triggers cancer and why one person gets plain ole endrometrial cancer and another gets UPSC or clear cell.

 I am choosing to believe, fat and happy as I am, that I am cured. My diet is awful! Way to much of the bad stuff along with the good stuff. I know I need to improve but will that improve my chances of no recurrence?  I believe that surgery and chemo were my best options and I am glad I did it( still up in the air about radiation!). I am sure that the future will bring new and better treatments, but this is what we have right now. Living a healthy lifestyle makes sense because it improves quality of life. Will it improve my chances? I don't really think so. I've seen too many fantastic women, just on this board, lose their battle even though they followed strict diet and exercise regimes. So I'm trying to get more exercise and eat better to enjoy my life for however long it may be. And I am planning on living for a long long time!

Sandy - I want to believe I'm cured. I want to get myself as close to my old normal as possible. And the only way I can do that is to let go of looking over my shoulder. I had a day of that old sense of well being and I want to have more of those days again like I used to. Agree with you on having the surgery and chemo (and for me the brachy!)... All three gave me peace of mind. So, I'm glad I did them.

Libby - Good luck on your non sugar goals. My sister has a very restricted diet due to Pancreatic cancer. She amazes me with her attitude and ability to ignore the cravings. She eats very clean for sure. She is my hero. Good luck on continuing to build your strength too.

Lou Ann - you made me laugh... I always stopped for a Frosty after chemo as my reward.

All - It is interesting to see the different approaches that we take. I love reading the posts to learn and challenge myself on things.  I have to say, one of the best things (and there are many) about being finished with chemo is being able to EAT!  And, the rules change on a weekly basis on what is good for us versus what is bad. So, I'm sticking with what feels good! tee hee....

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

EZLiving66 said:

Wow!  But my point exactly -

Wow!  But my point exactly - sometimes no matter what you do or don't do, you still get cancer.  And then, sometimes in spite of yourself, you recover.....or you don't.

Love,

Eldri

I heard that we all get cancer, too, at least several times in our lifetimes. My doctor has told me and what I've read confirms it, that cancer is more than one disease that occurs due to a "perfect storm" of events or conditions in our bodies. I am convinced that genetics is a huge player, as cancer represents a genetic mutation. Science has discovered some causes such as smoking, obesity and pollution. However, ancient man developed cancer and I doubt if the greenhouse effect caused it or water pollution or obesity. So, I think the biggest culprit is genetics. My paternal grandmother died from uterine cancer and her daughter died from ovarian cancer. Is it such a surprise that I got it, too?

Oddly, elephants rarely get cancer. This is being studied. You might think that such a large animal with so many dividing cells would get cancer at a high rate. 

I hope some day we will know why we got cancer. More importantly, we will benefit from a complete cure.

I wish you all a wonderful day!

Cathy

Ha, ha. I love everyone's comments about food! In fact I jus had a Resses Peanutbutter cup

EZLiving66 said:

The other day I bought a

The other day I bought a chocolate chip cookie at the bakery and broke it in half.  I ate half as my bedtime snack and "saved" the other half by putting it on a little plate on the counter top.  My husband came by after I went to bed and ATE it!!  I had PLANS for that other half and it didn't include him scarfing it down - LOL!!!  After dinner the next night I decided to have the other half for dessert.....I searched all over and finally he asked me what I was looking for.  I told him, MY half cookie.  He said "Oh, I thought you left that for me."  I thought then and there, this is crazy that I would get all upset over half a cookie.  I had some of those little red and green Christmas Reeses PB cups left from the holidays so I ate one of those instead - :-D and it tasted wonderful!!!

Love,

Eldri

I would never be able to stop at ½ and if, by some miracle I did, I would have hidden the other half. LOL Sandy