cancer, Diet and sugar

[mizzrm]

has anyone found giving up sugar helps or not? have you changed your diet since being diagnosed ?etc i understand no more smoking etc but some say no more alcohol, no more meat and no more sugar etc did you or do you follow a strict diet? or do you live as normal?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello mizzrm,

The question of sugar and diet is one that is often asked, there has been some speculation that by starving cells of sugar this will slow the rate or stop the cancer from progressing, however there is no evidence that sugar directly increases the risk of cancer or encourages it to grow. All cells in our body require energy from sugar/ glucose and this is important to remember when undergoing treatment, a balanced healthy diet is recommended.

Cancer research has very good information on diet and food myths, I have added some links below

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...?

news.cancerresearchuk.org/2...?

Also this is a link to the MacMillan website which has useful information on diet

macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...

If you wish to discuss anything in more detail, then you can call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600 or you can email us at [e-mail]

Wishing you all the best

Roy Castle Helpline

[Ianhick]

Not sure about sugar helping or not. When I was first diagnosed with a tumour, I did lose a little weight though I have been told by friends and colleagues that I'd lost weight before. I no longer smoke and have been teetotal for almost 20yrs. I'm also vegetarian, due to cholesterol levels. You do need to be healthy for any treatment, so a balanced diet and keeping fit will do more for you than cutting out any particular foodstuffs, in my opinion.

[JanetteR57]

I've never smoked and only drink in moderation and eat a reasonable diet yet still developed lung cancer. My dad had bowel cancer twice in his 50s and was never overweight, drank or smoked. I remember asking my consultant after my treatment if there was anything I could do to prevent the likelihood of recurrence and specifically asked about diet and was told there was no evidence either way but he felt keeping active and a positive attitude helped.

I read the book 'anti-cancer a new way of life' by Dr Servan Schreiber which is full of all sorts of information about improving your life chances after he had a tumour - and went onto change his career to pass on the information about the whole lifestyle aspect of cancer - whether getting enough sleep, eating better (fewer processed foods and refined carbs including sugar, more fresh fruit and veg,) staying hydrated, keeping active and having a good support network of friends/family can all help give us a more rounded life to support our recovery.

I found his book interesting, informative and enlightening and went onto read others he'd written e.g. 'healing without Freud or prozac' and' not the last goodbye'.

Some of the content (it was written in 2011) I've heard referenced at cancer conferences as if it's some wonderful new discovery in recent years despite it now being over a decade old.... there is some research underway looking at the potential impact of diet, food and certain cancers but to date they've focused on other cancers - not lung.

good luck with your recovery.

[Cosmic54]

hi Mizzrm I stick to my same diet i.e eat anything but since my radiotherapy I’ve gone off certain foods and sadly red/white wine I say eat what u can when u can u need strength I was diagnosed July 2021 with stage 4 lung cancer and I was fit. I had radiotherapy and now immunotherapy…Eat Drink water and be strong pet 💋