Preventing recurrence by changing diet?

Hi all,

Two months ago I had a radical hysterectomy due to stage III uterine cancer. I don't know the grade, I was so caught up in stage I don't remember grade given. My doctor has me scheduled for 6 chemo sessions and external/internal radiation. So, far I have completed 3 chemo sessions and so far I've had bad reactions in all three sessions. I wasn't worried about doing chemo but after doing it, I now drive my mom crazy debating if I should continue the sessions. I've already decided I wil not be doing internal radiation, but so far I will be doing the external.

Now, to my question (finally)....has any had their doctor mention anything about changing diet to prevent recurrence of cancer? I've been watching lots of documentaries on cancer cures and reading stuff. I also see a naturopathic doc who believes change in diet can prevent cancer. I know doctors will push chemo and the usual stuff, but has any tried anything different?

I've already changed my diet and I'm still a work in progress. But I just felt I needed to change just to survive the chemo. It's basically poison being put in my body. Just wondering if anyone has decided to not follow the one size fits all treatment and had any success.

Thanks.

I had a non-gyn cancer 40 years ago and a recurrence 30 years ago and am now considered cured of that cancer. I didn't choose any alternative treatments but I did have enough of a fit the first time around that they stopped my chemo early. When I had the recurrence I certainly wondered if I'd had all the chemo the first time if it would have reoccurred. Second time around I endured 18 months of grueling chemo with no complaints. In the big scheme of things it was a short period of time and a small price to pay to save my life.

Eating healthier, losing weight and exercising has a lot benefits both short term and long term. My gyn-oncologist told me that exercising gives the best cancer fighting benefit by increasing your body's ability to fight cancer before it starts by 30%. you have to do a minimum of 3 hours per week light to medium exercise. The next thing is getting close as possible to optimal weight. I've never had a problem with eating healthy it is the other two that will be my challenge.

All these things will help improve quality of life and improve the odds, but I still believe there is still a potential risk no matter what. My dr has told me that because I have diabetes and morbidly obese that I have very high risk factor and most women like me get this. Maybe so, but My personal observations: Cancer is an equal oppty disease. I personally know more people i considered in the optimal health/weight category get hit with it, while others who are the opposite end of the spectrum fitness-wise are unscathed. There could be hereditary or environmental factors or just plain randomness factors that we can't control that are in the mix. I think it won't hurt and in the end doing those 3 things will help to feel healthier and bounce back if some unexpected illness does hit. I'm going to do my best to get to a healthier me.

Hi Sweetie,

I have a friend who was dxed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2000 and was told she had less than a year to live. She decided to take conventional treatment which included chemo and radiation but also with her doctors'

knowledge and acceptance also adopted a macrobiotic, all organic diet which is not easy and as she says not the most satisfying nor inexpensive diet to follow but she has excellent discipline and her approach is working for her. Do remember she IS doing the chemo and radiation whenever recommended by her doctors and the chemo has been done several times over the years and the cancer has repeatedly returned.

It has not been an easy journey and she has gone in and out of regression as the cancer has returned to different areas but she has been able to see her daughter graduate from college and when in regression even works part time. She is not sure whether the diet has helped her but thinks it has but off course has no scientific evidence, etc at least for her particular case. Just sharing as this is a real case where a cancer patient has chose to follow a special diet ALONG with conventional treatments with seemingly good results whether due to the conventional treatment or combination or just her particular case.

I wish you well as you seek treatment to fight this nasty disease. Getting other opinons always seems wise. I will keep you in prayer too.

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This is a sensitive issue for me due to my experience. My friend had uterine cancer treated by surgery. She opted out of chemo and radiation instead followed a strict diet. Her naturopath, too, was against medical treatment. She had a major recurrence and then had more surgery, rads, chemo, plus other treatments that were altrnative, but it was, by then, too late. Would she have had a recurrence if she'd had chemo and rads right away? We'll never know, but I can tell you she wished, in hindsight, that she had gone that route. I decided then that in future I'd do any treatments and just use diet and alternatives as adjuncts. I never want to look back and wonder, if only, or wish I had done everything. So, my take is, diet may be better in addtion to , rather than instead of, treatment. But that's me. And as I say, my experience was not so very positive. I wish you well with your treatments and hope the next ones are easier on you.

I think that for now, the combination of medicine and science with naturopathic practices are the best route. I don't think alternative treatments alone will cure cancer, and I do believe that people who eat well, exercise, and find spiritual/psychological harmony, enjoy an easier experience through the cancer journey and the treatments. Cancer is not a punishment, it's just an awful crap disease with no easy cure. But lots of people beat it, and you can too. Also, if anyone watches Trough the Wormhole on the science channel, tonight it was on the power of the mind, positive thinking and meditation, that reduces inflammation and actually creates changes in the genomes of our cells. Fascinating. Might have to give it a try.

Again completely not gyn related but Steve Jobs delayed having surgery that might have cured him and instead chose to pursue alternative diet related means to "treat" his cancer. By the time he realized that wasn't working it was too late for the surgery to be effective.

Healthy diet and exercise is always a good option but not an alternative. I get my third chemo treatment next week. They keep telling me I am so healthy which is hard to understand since I have/had cancer. Do not stop the chemo. You have to get it first time round. If the cancer comes back the chemo can only keep it at bay... it can not cure it. Your best chance at getting rid of it is the first time around. I too will get 6 of them and then 25 rounds of external radiation. My cervix was not involved and was taken out with the rest of the goodies down there so external is all I need. Hang in there... you only have 3 to go which is a small feat to beat it.....

Thank you for your responses. With all the reading, watching docs, and talking to my Naturopath, I'm searching for something less damaging than the norm. I have changed my eating habits for the most part (more plant based/raw foods). I have not been consistent with exercise. I do plan to continue the chemo, but also wanted to do something to counter the possible side effects and I think changing of my diet will help. I'm still ify on radiation treatment.

Part of me thinks I just want to have some control in this situation. Not rely on the doctor, who I believe gives the same treatment to all her patients. I just want to do my part in keeping myself healthy. @Shmu I too keep being told how young and healthy I am and I want SMH. How healthy can I be if I'm here, I think lol.

Again thanks for all the responses.

My hematologist recommended the China Study to me, said he and his partner have seen good success with it.