Hi all, new here, and diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. I had a huge tumor removed last week; now waiting for the biopsy results. A second surgery is planned to removed the womb, other ovary and lymph nodes, just in case of spread, though the surgeon is confident that he got the whole tumor out in one and only one other patch was found on the urethra.
Now comes the controversial topic - chemo. Of course, chemo is recommended by the oncologist is such a case, and I’m not asking for anyone to make a decision for me. I’m just interested in hearing if anyone has experiences with successfully overcoming ovarian cancer without chemo, or used any complimentary or alternative treatments, such as a no-sugar diet and fasting.
Thanks!
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Hailun
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In 1958 my grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She had debulking surgery but no chemo, it wasn’t available. She died within 12 months.
In 2015 her granddaughter (me) was also diagnosed with OC stage 4 inoperable.
Chemo saved my life, not once but twice to date. I got my surgery, chemo made it possible. From a prognosis of 18 months, I am an 8 year survivor.
I had to step away from my phone before writing this because it makes me soooo angry that, in your shock, distress and fear at your diagnosis, someone, some website, or blog has dropped you this idea that cancer can be cured by eating air and ignoring science.
I thank the medics, scientists, researchers who go to work every day, who mapped the human genome, who constantly come up with new treatments, like the trial drug I am currently taking. They understand cancer and they understand how to fight it.
It’s your decision of course but I urge you to choose life ❤️
Hi Hailun, have to say I totally agree with Lyndy 2. My grandmother was also unable to have chemo. & was operated on so many times to remove remaining seedlings which nowadays chemo would have destroyed.For me it was a no brainer but we must each make our own choices & feel happy that we have got it right. Take care DeeX
I do intermittent fasting each day and a longer fast once a week.I’ve also cut out sugar,alcohol,processed foods,dairy and meats.
So far so good me for me,if your interested I highly recommend Dr Nasha Winters book The Metabolic Approach to Cancer,she is a 30 yr survivor of stage 4 oc given months to live.
I would say do your research,be pro active and advocate for your own health.We are told that oc is treatable but not curable,I’m only 44 with 2 young daughters I am throwing everything I can possibly think might help at this!
I totally agree with Lyndy’s answer too - she always gives invaluable advice. I have been on this website since last year and have seen several times chemo being questioned. It is terrifying being diagnosed and having surgery but I never thought twice about having chemotherapy - I trusted the medical profession, my own father is a doctor and knew this was the best chance I had of surviving. Please don’t believe diet alone can cure this cancer. Sending you love and please listen to the medical advice you are given. Shan xx
Hi, firstly I’m am sorry for your diagnosis. I was diagnosed stage 3b high grade OC in Oct 2007. I was given 2 years. I have had 2 recurrences, had chemo 3 times and been on three drug trials (still on third which is keeping me NED,no evidence of disease). I’m 100% in agreement with Lyndy. Obviously it’s your decision but I’d take chemo. I will add that when I was told I had 2 years I said to the chemo nurse at my first appointment that I’d changed my mind because what was the point? She put her arms round me and said who knows what the chemo will give you? Well to date that’s nearly 13.5 years more than I thought I would have and a normal life to work full time, travel, see my 3 grandchildren born and grow. Chemo gave me life. I will be totally honest, it’s not a walk in the park and if you do decide to take chemo there will be many days when you will wonder why you did but the bad days don’t last and above all it is totally doable. I wish you all the best in your decision making x Kathy x
I second the wise words above. I was 4b at diagnosis and the research assistant at my first consult said 80% chance of return within 18 months. I thought what s the point of chemo? A few weeks later, my present consultant said, It is more likely something else will see you off, rather than OC. Without chemo, you probably have 2 years.
I am post op, post chemo and NED on Olaparib, have had 2 holidays and looking forward to third. It is 2 years.
I also concur with the other ladies. A diagnosis can send you into a tailspin and of course you want to grab onto anything. Avoiding sugar seems to be a favourite of the functional medicine peddlars and absolutely nothing has been proven on it. Arguably yes it does feed cancer as it feeds cells as other food does…and cancer is cells in overdrive (simplistically put).
The op and chemo aren’t something you want to repeat in a hurry but really aren’t as bad as you think; and whilst having chemo, trust me, your aim will be to eat anything you feel like and your chemo nurses will say just that to you.
We get it’s scary but this is a horrid cancer, get it out and take the treatment offered to make sure any rogue cells (which may be floating around and can’t be seen/tested for) are killed off. Xxx
It sounds as though as yet you have not been told your grade or stage of ovarian cancer? It may have a bearing on your decision, depending upon your results. I would say however that I would listen to the advice of your oncologist and even get a second opinion if necessary. Personally I didn't hesitate with chemo as the more I have read, the more I have realised what a sneaky, insidious disease this is. The recurrence rate is sooo high, even after completely successful debulking surgery. I too have read all the books about diets and supplements and cancer and I am very open to any reasonable suggestions backed by some evidence that might help keep my body as healthy as possible. But in my case I tend to look at them as an addition to standard of care, rather than as a replacement.
it's a difficult decision I know but please speak to as many clinicians as possible before you shun chemo. Good luck!!
I agree with all the others on this. Nobody wants to have chemo but I just didn’t even question my decision 5.5 years ago. Just had my 2nd recurrence and was given the choice of chemo or not, but for me again it wasn’t even a question to consider!
It’s tough, but so are we. Obviously it’s your decision but please make sure you research over and over again. My oncologists answer to ‘can I help this with diet’ is always ‘just eat healthily but don’t deprive yourself of a treat’. I trust him 100% so that’s good enough for me!
Hi. I agree with Lyndy and the others, but it is essential to have the pathology report on your tumor when you’re making this decision. Most of us have high grade serous OC which responds very well to chemo. If you have low grade or one of the rarer types the situation may be different. That’s why you need the knowledge of your oncology team. Xx
hi … I think the best thing to do is use BOTH methods, I did this during my chemo and stem cell transplant - I was told I would die without it and with it I had 50% chance of living.
I took the chemo PLUS CBD oil, supplements and healthy diet, to help counter the side effects of chemo. I have always followed a veggie diet and use essential oils etc, but I did not hesitate to embrace the benefits of chemo too
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