Sugar v Cancer: Hi My cousin believes... - Lung Cancer Support

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Sugar v Cancer

anrean profile image
15 Replies

Hi

My cousin believes that not eating ANY sugar will cure his prostate mets to liver and pancreas cancer. Any info you have that this is bad science and potentially doing more harm than good is greatly appreciated. He is using the internet and the junk science sites instead of reputable sites. (I have had ca 5 times, and he won't listen to me, so maybe he will listen to you folks! At least maybe we can get him thinking!)

Thank you in advance,

Lauri-Anne

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anrean profile image
anrean
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15 Replies

The only info I can offer is the fact that both my PC and my oncologist told me that if you deprive cancer cells of sugar, they will just find something else to feed on. Limiting sugar intake from packaged foods, baked goods, and table sugar is a good idea for your overall health, but it won't stop or prevent cancer.

I try to eat fairly healthy, fresh fruits, vegetables, and I limit red meats. I also do my best to limit sweets (I won't eat doughnuts, but I do enjoy the occasional bowl of ice cream).

Has he talked to his oncologist about his diet? He or she would be the best ones to advise him.

anrean profile image
anrean in reply to Feelingblessed2013

Thank you for your response. He is rejecting all forms of traditional, logical, scientific treatment, including what his oncologist (now fired) suggested. He thinks he is losing weight and looking like a skeleton because of the lack of sugar - we all know that weight loss is one of many indicators of active cancer. I want him to be here to enjoy the coming grandchildren, but the reality is that he is stubborn and convinced. If I can get enough info together, maybe it will change his mind. A google search showed so much about sugar helping that it should be criminal. Yes, he has always turned to alternative treatments, but this time it is going to cost him his life, and that is breaking our hearts.

Feelingblessed2013 profile image
Feelingblessed2013 in reply to anrean

Maybe if someone gave him a list of reputable sites? Maybe they could at least get him curious enough to check them out on his own?

Is he being treated in any way by an oncologist along with this no sugar diet?

All you can do is your best to point him in the right direction, unfortunately the rest is up to him.

anrean profile image
anrean in reply to Feelingblessed2013

He fired his oncologist. Extremely wealthy, he has contacted a real oncologist that charges a fortune, but is shunning the advice. I'm trying to gather everything possible to show him that sugar is not the answer and hopefully he will read scientific advice. It may, in all honesty, be too late at this point, but there is always hope that we can convince him in time

Feelingblessed2013 profile image
Feelingblessed2013 in reply to anrean

I hate to say this, but if he is not listening to his very expensive oncologist, I doubt he will listen to anyone.

Where there is life, there is hope. But I am afraid you are just spinning your wheels.

anrean profile image
anrean in reply to Feelingblessed2013

You are right, but for me, I need to spin away in order to be comfortable knowing I did all I can! The more info I have, the better to argue with him!!

Feelingblessed2013 profile image
Feelingblessed2013 in reply to anrean

I can understand that

Denzie profile image
DenzieModeratorVolunteer in reply to anrean

He’s losing muscle mass as well. In addition to telling him about Steve Jobs experience he needs to understand the dangers of cachexia.

anrean profile image
anrean in reply to Denzie

Seems his dr, Gary Onik, made some sense. Three weeks off to visit new gf and then to Dr. Onik! Thank you - your comment about Steve Jobs may have turned the tables!!

Denzie profile image
DenzieModeratorVolunteer in reply to anrean

Dr Onik seems to be legit. At this time I can find no sanctions. He combines cryotherapy and immunotherapy in an off label manor. I send hope that your cousin pulls through this. Hopefully he puts some weight back on.

anrean profile image
anrean in reply to Denzie

Spent some time looking over what he does - agree with you so far. Just wish Greg would realize that sugar from fruits (and veggies) is not as dangerous as he thinks at the moment. Three weeks ago he was fine - now, with this new dx he needs to buck up and do some real research instead of panic. He has always been holistic so not surprised by his actions, just know that diet is not the only answer!! Also we cannot live forever, so do what you can within reason but also have a little fun!!

Denzie profile image
DenzieModeratorVolunteer in reply to anrean

I know, right! Have to shake my head. I ate hot fudge sundaes almost daily during radiation. That was 9 years ago with my stage 4 aggressive adenocarcinoma. Doesn’t seem to have hurt me. I called it my ice cream therapy.

anrean profile image
anrean in reply to Denzie

Mine was Dunkin Dontus iced coffee - 34 days of bliss!! I think sugar is not a culprit when the body needs the fat and extra calories - it sure beats the body eating muscle mass to keep going! We all have to do our best with all the info we can get...real, scientific-based information, not a pipe dream.

Kiera49 profile image
Kiera49

I totally understand that I went on this site where it said having no sugar can stop cancer as nothing to feed on, I know now you could do this but cancer will feed on glucose. I do have low sugar meals without having diet meals as they contain aspartame which is bad for my epilepsy. I do eat healthy and think being healthy is good especially fighting this disease. I avoid sweets, chocolate, soda, cakes etc and try to eat plenty fruit and veg.

JanetteR57 profile image
JanetteR57

there is no evidence to support this but many people believe that because a glucose substance is used in PET scans and lights up, that this is the signal that all cancer feeds on sugar. There is a good book with holistic approach to eating/activity/sleeping/soul approach with work/life balance aspects in 'anti-cancer - a new way of life' by Dr Servan Schreiber - a medic who found his own brain tumour, changed his lifestyle and then went onto a new career advising medics and others about this. It is only in more recent studies that the links between diet/lifestyle and some cancers (not all) have been made but for most people, there is no harm in reducing refined sugar and carbs but the issue is having enough nutrients to heal as most cancer treatments are incredibly harsh so the body needs reserves to cope with these. In the Western world, for some of us, medication can make us heavier (e.g. steroids) due to appetite gain but the nutrients/muscle wastage issue is still present even if not visible due to the weight gain. Some people believe what they do despite a barrage of evidence to the contrary - the books I've read and recommend to others written by medics usually acknowledge the placebo affect too - that is something makes someone feel better and it's not harmful, then carry on - but clearly weight loss/maintaining sufficient energy to function is crucial. good luck.

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