Friend update

[sammyH]

Hi, my friend went back to her local Dr last month and again he said there was nothing more he could offer her. She stood her ground and demanded that he at least do a referral to RM for a private consultation...I dread to think what the outcome would have been...could he have just let her leave without any future plan ..even for worsening symptoms???

Anyway, we are off to see - I think it is banerjee on Tuesday....very nervous ...does anyone have any tips, questions for how to get the most out of this....

We need to find out if there is any standard treatment available for her spread...if not if there is any trial treatment available....if not, what will be her treatment course through to the end...

From our prospective she is very fit ....she has mild stomach discomfort...it just seems impossible that there can be nothing else done for her....so helpless so hoping for so much

Thank you

[TealSista]

Hi SammyH, I have heard excellent reports from friends about Dr Banerjee and I am sure that she will give your friend an objective response and also let her know of any trials which are available. Can I also suggest that additionally your friend goes to the Penny Brohn Cancer Care centre in Bristol which is a wonderful healing place.

[mary1111]

Has your friend changed her diet at all? If not, it is really important that she does. All dairy and sugar should be removed as they feed Cancer. Fresh veg should be increased enormously and a lot raw if poss. I have also been to Penny Brohn for the living well course. Buy an up to date book by Professor Jane Plant of royal mars den hospital and follow her protocol. She had breast cancer five times till she cut out dairy and followed a more Asian diet. It went away for 20 years then came back when she relaxed diet. It disappeared again after restarting her protocol. Go on the canceractive website which is excellent.

[sammyH in reply to mary1111]

Wow Mary...that sounds amazing. She was very good and stuck to the Penny Brohn suggestions for a while....but I think she may have relaxed a little. I'll have a look for the book. Do you think we can purchase there tomorrow ?

[Whippit in reply to mary1111]

I'm really sorry to disagree with the statement that 'all diary and sugar should be removed (from the diet) as they feed cancer'. I'm not being argumentative but feel there is some miscommunication going on here.

Avoiding sugar and dairy is not the advice of oncologists.

I am not a health profession or a dietician but my comment is drawn from the Royal Marsden Cook Book for Cancer and from a presentation given by Professor Iain McNeish at Ovacome's Members' Day in May 2012.

A healthy balanced diet is recommended. For some patients with ovarian cancer who need a low residue diet to avoid bowel obstruction the Jane Plant diet could do a lot of harm. Jane has never worked at the Royal Marsden. Here is a resume of her work and research: Professor Jane Plant is one of the world's leading geochemists, and was chief scientist of the British Geological Survey (BGS) from 2000 to 2005, as well as Professor of Geochemistry at Imperial College, London.

Having said all this many people have benefitted from the Jane Plant diet. I would suggest if anyone is thinking about altering their diet radically they mention it to their health practitioner.

[mary1111 in reply to Whippit]

I will continue to stay away from all dairy and sugar as I feel it has worked for me. Another couple of good books are Radical Remission by Kelly Turner, which my sister, who has had breast cancer, really rates, and How to kill cancer cells by Natalie Mitchell which has an amazing amount of information. I do not think that most medical practitioners have a great deal of knowledge about how good nutrition can help stop cancer returning and my oncologist gives me a blank look when I mention it. He certainly is not interested in a discussion.

[Whippit in reply to mary1111]

That sounds a really good argument for listening to your own body and doing what's best for you. xx Annie

[mary1111 in reply to Whippit]

I forgot to clarify that when I said no sugar, I meant anything processed. I eat all veg and some fruit and have a very balanced diet. I do not eat anything processed and cook from scratch . I am not vegetarian but only eat fish or poultry once a day. I actually became allergic to milk products 6 months before I was diagnosed and I am sure my body was trying to tell me something. I get all my calcium from leafy greens and I use almond, coconut or oat milk and coconut oil.

[Whippit in reply to mary1111]

I have much the same diet Mary. I love veggies and do a bit of juicing as I don't like fruit so much but try to eat a selection each week. I don't eat processed food and cook from scratch. I've never done anything different because you just don't know what's in pre-packed and processed foods.

Penny Brohn Cancer Centre Nutrition advisors recommend alternatives to cows' milk such as almond, coconut and oat milk. I've read that some forms of cancer, particularly breast cancer are sensitive to dairy products. They say opt for the least processed foods so for instance whole cows' milk is better than semi-skimmed, wholegrain product are better than processed ones.

I also try to buy good quality meat or fish which has been sustainably and responsibly reared from reputable butchers and fishmongers and never buy these products from the supermarket. Again, it's whatever is best for each individual. I'm sure many people would disagree with my approach to diet and nutrition. xx Annie

[TinaB1 in reply to mary1111]

Hi Mary .. I think some women from HU went to a lecture two years ago and I think it was said that there is no evidence that sugar feeds cancer. x

[Whippit in reply to TinaB1]

I've just checked my notes from that presentation by Iain McLeish. He said sugar does feed cancer but cancer has the ability to convert body fat into sugars and then feed on them which is why people with advanced cancers can become quite thin.

What he said was that it is good to restrict the amount of sugar to avoid developing cancer but once you have cancer so long as you have a balanced diet there is no advantage in giving up sugars altogether.

Did I read somewhere that the recommended maximum dose of sugar per day is 5 teaspoons but if you eat processed food it can be hidden. A good argument to cook and eat fresh foods.

xx

[TinaB1 in reply to Whippit]

Annie ..

I was thinking that if there's no sugar from the diet available, then the cancer cells will just get it elsewhere, I.e. through the conversion of stored body fat to sugar as you said. So I suppose i meant it doesn't feed cancer cells any more than other energy sources. When I had a virus in January, I couldn't keep anything down and then my sister, not knowing I had been a little poorly, commented on weight loss from my face. I think all cells need energy from sugar and they're quite adept at raiding the cupboard whether they're fast unchecked cells or not. I wonder if the professor's words are cautionary rather than evidence based. I mean the cells get fed whether or not and there's no evidence to say diet sugars make cancer cells divide faster than converted body fat sugars do. I just feel in my case, that I don't want to spend time worrying about diet too much at this stage so long as I get a bit of everything I need including dairy and some treats.

I found this article very helpful:

cancercenter.com/discussion...

[Whippit in reply to TinaB1]

I got the impression that Professor McNeish is frequently asked about sugar and he was just saying not to get het up about diet. Eat well and eat wisely. If we want a bit of sugar there's no harm in that and as you say it won't make the cancer worse.

[Whippit]

Sorry, I got a bit distracted by diet just now. I do hope the consultation with Dr Susie Banerjee goes well for your friend. I am treated at the Royal Marsden and have regular consultations with Susie who is incredibly knowledgeable. You will find her easy to talk to and I'm sure she'll put you both at ease and make sure you have as much time as you both need to ask questions and discuss what might be available.

xx Annie

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I hope your trip to see Dr Banerjee was as helpful as mine have been.

Clare