Hi There We have recently had another person who is enthusiastic about diets changes, supplements etc., making suggestions to the site. It is their right to do so and I would defend that. I would also suggest a bit of rationality. Many of these dietary suggestions have a lot in common - avoid meat; high amounts of fruit and vegetables; lots of 'organic' foods and swallowing lots of juices made from all sorts of vegetables. No sugar, bread, pasta, tea and coffee, alcohol and dairy products. Add to that lots of multivitamins and mineral substances and herbals supplements. If you are one of these people and that is how you get your kicks go for it, but please do not be so evangelical about it and believe that everyone else should follow. Several things need to be balanced here. One of them is quality of life. Most people who are diagnosed with cancer are in there late sixties and early seventies. They are fairly settled in their habits and you have to balance the discomfort of radical change to their diet versus what they are comfortable with. Another is that a lot of this stuff is unproven and whilst there are guru's out there promoting such changes of lifestyle, they have very little rigorous evidence to support them. For those of us who are younger, particularly those in their twenties and thirties, then there are a lot of lifestyle changes recommended for which there is good evidence. Regular exercise, plenty of green leafy vegetables, less meat, moderate alcohol consumption, no smoking and so on. The Heart Foundation, Cancer Councils, Diabetes people are all in agreement and there is plenty of material on their websites as to what is appropriate. What's my anecdotal evidence - well I have a very aggressive cancer, I am statistically at least eight years past my use by date. I have made no changes to my diet, I enjoy most things in moderation, I do not take dietary supplements, multi-vitamins herbs or anything like that. I do not undergo any of the new age things that seem so popular, I avoid aromatherapy like the plague, and I do not sit round in a circle doing weird and strange things. Clearly I am doing something wrong by not doing any of these things - I'm just well past my use by date with an aggressive cancer. I enjoy life with a good quality. Cheers Sailor He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast. Leonardo da Vinci
7 Comments
harker
Frequent Contributor
Well said Sailor. As John Diamaond and Pamela Bone have both said, they are alternative because they don't work. If they worked, they would be mainstreamed and not be called alternative any more. And lack of clinical trials gets used as evidence of success, would you believe. For example, because chemo did not work for the friend of a friend I heard about, that means that apricot pips cure cancer. H
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maddie86
Contributor
i must agree! ive watched my partner eat watever he wants (hes having bowel surg next week) and hes put on weight and is healthier than ever! hes happy to he loves his choc and beer! im aware after his op hel need a special diet but atm hes just loving life.. 🙂 so i say if a chocolate bar makes u happy then eat that damn thing!!
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samex
Regular Contributor
Sailor, you are living proof that moderation seems the best answer but I agree that each of us is entitled to do whatever serves their purpose. While I didn't really make significant changes to my diet, I found that yoga (with an amazing teacher) allowed me to cope with the side effects of chemo more effectively. They didn't lessen the effects - just allowed me to deal with them in a less panicky way. Maddie - I have had the bowel surgery and I am still addicted to chocolate! i hope your boyfriend enjoys every mouthful. Samex
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maddie86
Contributor
haha yeah sammex we both r! chocolate can enduce endorphines i think thats y we reach for it wen feeling down!
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johnrp1964
Occasional Contributor
Im going to go make an iced coffee thats full of sugar :_)
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Not applicable
Well said Sailor; Ahh, I think all things in moderation is as good a way to go as any. In the past I have done the totally 'good' diets, whole foods macrobiotic, vegan, then organic and so on. from time to time I have sat around in therapy groups and let go of the past, and even led such groups. In between times I have sometimes been too poor to afford good food, . Choice of food is a the privilege of the wealthy and so is the choice to do psychological (or any other) therapy for wellness. I've just been reading about how beneficial good quality chocolate is for us.. yum yum. I think it's about time to get a glass of wine and put my feet up for the day, 🙂
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SILLY
Super Contributor
I have googled cancer myths and there are several. On other sites I use I've read about "cancer cures"e.g. asparagus,citrus ....I forget the rest . I'm sure it all helps but some do all this and then lose the battle . I know how to eat healthily but it takes effort and planning and I have become a bit lazy . I should be walking daily,but am waiting for better weather. It's probably here most days now. I rarely drink alcohol and don't smoke. I used to smoke and am glad that smoking is not linked to my cancer. From early 1995 till late 2002 I was fanatical about healthy eating and was happy but it was difficult when I was out .I wish I had the self discipline today.I didn't go for fad diets or over the top stuff,just absolutely no junk food and normal good food from all food groups.
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