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Original poster

Can eating extremely healthily go some way to reversing the effects of cancer?

80 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 21/03/2022 08:55

A friend has a very rare bowel cancer which isn’t centred on a lump/tumour.
The surgery she has been offered would result in life-changing consequences re mobility as well as a stoma. She is a very selfless person and has told me that she would be relying on people too much post-surgery. She also thinks it would drastically alter or end her relationship with her DH.
She has refused this surgery and is trying to stop it spreading by eating a no sugar, organic, free range diet. She has also started yoga, Pilates etc.

Will her approach work?

I’m extremely worried about her whilst trying to support her and understand her decision.

I can understand how this approach might help prevent a cancer diagnosis but to stop it?

OP posts:
BattledoreAndShuttlecock · 21/03/2022 09:57

"Steve Jobs died of pancreatic cancer which I had a terrible prognosis, even with everything that conventional medicine can throw at it."

Actually Steve Jobs had a rare less aggressive form of pancreatic cancer, normally seen as far more survivable. Because it's a rarer condition and we don't have all the private details medical opinions vary on whether more proactive conventional treatment could have saved him.

Clymene · 21/03/2022 09:59

And I'm so sorry, it's an absolutely horrible position for you to be in. Heartbreaking

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/03/2022 10:03

LizDoingTheCancan I’ve just looked that up and I think that is probably what it is.

She hasn’t told me everything about the effects of the operation. She said she can’t bring herself to so that.

freddiemercury of course I have tried to persuade her to have the surgery. For the time being, she has made her decision.

OP posts:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/03/2022 10:04

Thank you Clymene
It’s horrible for everyone.

OP posts:
Polyanthus2 · 21/03/2022 10:09

Is a life of illness, weakness, pain, unpleasant side effects of medication, possible detrimental effects to your memory ,a stoma, seeing your family distressed, a lingering death the option she sees.
This won't be a quick op and back to a busy life.

I would say she possibly hasn't had time to think it through, meet people who have had a successful outcome, come to terms to it with DH etc etc

It's her choice but she needs all the info

myceliumama · 21/03/2022 10:10

My dad had a stoma fitted after bowel cancer. He needed help and support for around 10 days after being released from hostel and then he was fine to resume normal life (at a slightly slower, none lifting rate). My dad is almost 80 now, has recently had a triple bypass and is still living his best life. He's active and WANTS to live.

Your friend is likely scared. Its a big change, having a stoma. Fear can totally colour a persons outlook. But a diet isn't going to work.

Flyingteaspoon · 21/03/2022 10:18

It’s absolutely her right to choose not to have the treatment and surgery she has been told she needs. I would hope though that someone can get through to her what the result of this choice is going to be. If she’s been convinced that this healthy diet could be an alternative cure then she might regret not having it spelled out to her by someone she trusts, that it can’t cure her condition.

If she has chosen not to have surgery with the understanding that she will die, then that will be hard for those around her, but if her quality of life afterwards is not one she would want to have to live with, that’s understandable as everyone is different and there’s no right or wrong decision.

When I was a carer, I was advised to encourage people with cancer to eat whatever they fancied, to try get their calories up by adding butter and cream to mashed potatoes, using full fat milk in drinks etc. i was told that extra weight and calories helps with the weight loss that the disease itself causes and provides the body with energy to cope with treatment and surgery. I was told not to overly bother about nutrition but to concentrate on giving patients what they most fancied and encouraging them to try eat little and often rather than serving 3 normal meals.

It made me really sad when relatives were trying to get stew, veggies and gravy down their loved ones, when what they really fancied was trifle or a doughnut. I’ve also known of patients or their relatives trying to use diet and lifestyle as a ‘cure’. It never ends well.

Titterofwit · 21/03/2022 10:37

Much as I hate to say so i can understand her thinking if it is the ore severe operation than a 'simple' stoma.
I have had 2 cancer operations myself so am not averse to surgery and understand some of its after effects but Ive watched a close family member undergoing operation after operation to try and alleviate the symptoms of their cancer. Although they remained alive for many years after the first operation their quality of life ,and of their partner who was now their full time carer ,was never the same.

So I think this is a question only your friend can know the answer to. You as a caring friend can just be there for her. Poor woman must be going through torture trying to work it all out . Lend an ear if she wants to discuss her thoughts Only she will have to live with the after effects following this massive operation and she is rightfully understanding the effect it will have on her partner. Only she knows if she is strong enough for both of them.

Mamabear12 · 21/03/2022 10:52

MAny people would say no and tbh we can not know the answer. But tell you friend to check out the website and book chris beat cancer.

SexiestDogWalker · 21/03/2022 11:06

No. I had a friend diagnosed with a rare bowel cancer at 26 . She was so ill on chemo that she did a huge fundraising thing to try vitamin C IV infusions in Europe, switched to a completely clean diet and had lots of mediation, yoga and fresh air. She did these infusions 3 or 4 times. She died age 29.

Justkeeppedaling · 21/03/2022 11:11

@kylie127

Yes I have heard the raw vegan diet works for it
How? How exactly does a raw vegan diet cure cancer? Because if it does, that's the NHS saved from privatisation right there!
LizDoingTheCanCan · 21/03/2022 11:20

This is far more than having a stoma. At the most extreme, it includes removal of the reproductive organs, the vagina, the anus. I know a man that has been through it, and there's no question that has life has changed beyond all recognition.

I really do feel for your friend. It's such a difficult decision. For all those minimising it, please do some basic research and understand what this surgery involves.

Saku · 21/03/2022 11:21

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MoodySky · 21/03/2022 11:21

Sorry to hear this OP.

Although eating healthily is good, it won't protect against cancer.

There is some very interesting research going on into angiogenesis though; the idea that some foods can inhibit the growth of blood supplies to tumours.

If your friend can't be persuaded to have the surgery then maybe this could be something else that may help? The doctor leading the research is William Li. He has done a TED talk and written a book on the subject.

I have no idea if it's effective, but there does appear to be some science behind it .

Wishing your friend (and you) all the best.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/03/2022 11:24

Titterofwit
Your second paragraph is pointedly what is going on.

OP posts:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/03/2022 11:29

MoodySky thank you for that.
I’ll take a look at it and possibly mention to my friend.

She also takes lots of supplements and Chinese tea that has been specifically made for her. As I write this, I know how inadequate it sounds but that is where she is at.

OP posts:
Spudina · 21/03/2022 11:32

The surgery you mentioned is huge. And would be debilitating and life changing. We all have a choice with what to do with our own bodies so if she is choosing not to have it, in full knowledge of all the facts, knowing that her life will be limited, that’s a reasonable choice to make. But if she is thinking she can have the same outcome as the surgery by her dietary methods then she is unfortunately mistaken.

raspberrymuffin · 21/03/2022 11:42

You've got a lot of good advice here so I mostly just want to second the Maggie's Centre recommendation. They will make sure she's got all the facts and whatever she ends up deciding they will support her through it, and her husband, and probably you too if you wanted to talk to someone about it. They are so good.

My husband has bowel cancer. I would do absolutely anything to keep him alive. Supporting him through lifelong mobility problems would be a no brainer. I'm worried your friend's husband is either a wrong un or doesn't understand the consequences of what she's proposing.

To the raw vegan fuckers on here, get a fucking grip. My husband was effectively vegan for a year before his diagnosis because we thought he was developing food intolerances. Still had a massive tumour until it was zapped by radiotherapy. And no one could possibly believe that cells are going to suddenly stop mutating if a person stops cooking their fucking vegetables. You should be ashamed of yourselves spreading this nonsense.

Clymene · 21/03/2022 11:58

You cannot reverse type 1 diabetes @Saku. That is a wicked and dangerous thing to say

Bluetrews25 · 21/03/2022 12:06

Will she see a cancer-specialist dietitian?

Totally understand her not wanting the surgery. But she might as well eat what she wants and be happy in that respect rather than restricting herself in the misplaced hope that it will cure her.

Saku · 21/03/2022 13:59

This reply has been deleted

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PurpleDaisies · 21/03/2022 14:05

They are not cures @Saku

Stop this dangerous nonsense.

Flyingteaspoon · 21/03/2022 22:18

I think type II pre-diabetes can be reversed through diet but not type I. The latter is a genetic disorder that often starts in childhood and type II is often diet related and starts later. Anyone with type I has to keep a very close eye on what they eat, how much of it they eat and when they eat, in order to keep it under control. As far as I’m aware you cannot reverse it through diet, only keep it well managed along with insulin.

JustlookingNotbuying · 23/03/2022 16:40

You’re poor friend, what an awful place to be. If the op is indeed an exenteration that is a huge, completely life changing op. I watched a program about this not long ago on bbc2. A 52 year old man had cancer in many places, it was a 2 day operation in which so many lower internal parts were removed. The surgeon did say it was such a life changing operation that half offered this op decide not to go for it and take their chances. I really feel for your friend if this is her only chance. Sadly, it’s her life, her decision. All you can do is show your love and support for her.
Steve Jobs had a Neuroendocrine tumour, they act differently to other tumours and sufferers often live much longer with this type of cancer. My mil passed away from a NET 18 months ago, sadly she refused treatment once it had progressed, she could possibly still be with us but as much as we miss her terribly it was her choice at the end of the day,

Hbh17 · 23/03/2022 16:47

As others have said, the answer is no. But I admire her for making her decision, even if most of us would think it is the "wrong decision". We all want to have agency in our own lives & she is the only person who can decide what to do.