› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Recurrence & Diet
- This topic has 30 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 1 month ago by
tlynnbeach5.
- Post
-
- August 23, 2014 at 8:24 pm
I'm struggling here as my family thinks I need to totally change my diet to avoid a recurrence if melanoma. This was discussed with my oncologist who told my father that I didn't progress to Stage 4 because of diet. It was acknowledged that diet is key to general health and well being. Diet doesn't destroy body's ability or immune system to recognize melanoma cells and destroy them. Though it was highly suggested as much as possible to avoid processed foods.So bascially message was diet is helpful but not necessarily going to help avoid a recurrence. Also, my diet isn't great and it isn't bad. It probably needs to be a little more balanced. Not a ton of processed foods but I do like a cookie or ice cream here or there….
I've researched this some and you find arguements that go either way…..adamant that diet is crucial while I saw MDA says "sugar isn;t cause of cancers" or lead to cancer. So which is it? This is very confusing….
- Replies
-
-
- August 23, 2014 at 8:43 pm
'My personal suspicion is that it is more what is in our food, than it is what our overall diet is that favorable to some cancers. I do believe that certain foods like broccoli, asparagus, and foods with certain spices such as turmeric (curcumin) can help reduce the likelihood of cancer starting and of it spreading. In general the body cells seem to need sugars for the energy to survive. Can we just starve the dcancer cells without starving the normal cells by cutting out sugars? I also suspect that the reaction to food can vary somewhat by individual.
-
- August 23, 2014 at 8:43 pm
'My personal suspicion is that it is more what is in our food, than it is what our overall diet is that favorable to some cancers. I do believe that certain foods like broccoli, asparagus, and foods with certain spices such as turmeric (curcumin) can help reduce the likelihood of cancer starting and of it spreading. In general the body cells seem to need sugars for the energy to survive. Can we just starve the dcancer cells without starving the normal cells by cutting out sugars? I also suspect that the reaction to food can vary somewhat by individual.
-
- August 23, 2014 at 8:43 pm
'My personal suspicion is that it is more what is in our food, than it is what our overall diet is that favorable to some cancers. I do believe that certain foods like broccoli, asparagus, and foods with certain spices such as turmeric (curcumin) can help reduce the likelihood of cancer starting and of it spreading. In general the body cells seem to need sugars for the energy to survive. Can we just starve the dcancer cells without starving the normal cells by cutting out sugars? I also suspect that the reaction to food can vary somewhat by individual.
-
- August 23, 2014 at 10:19 pm
Some people want to inadvertently torture us on miserable austerity diets. Moderation and a balanced diet is healthy in my opinion, and from what I've heard. So I think you're on the right track with that.
Also, I believe exercise is as important as diet, and according to an MDA podcast I listenend too.
But I think it's all indirect effects. Also I think being generally healthy could help us handle some of our treatments too.
-
- August 23, 2014 at 10:19 pm
Some people want to inadvertently torture us on miserable austerity diets. Moderation and a balanced diet is healthy in my opinion, and from what I've heard. So I think you're on the right track with that.
Also, I believe exercise is as important as diet, and according to an MDA podcast I listenend too.
But I think it's all indirect effects. Also I think being generally healthy could help us handle some of our treatments too.
-
- August 23, 2014 at 10:19 pm
Some people want to inadvertently torture us on miserable austerity diets. Moderation and a balanced diet is healthy in my opinion, and from what I've heard. So I think you're on the right track with that.
Also, I believe exercise is as important as diet, and according to an MDA podcast I listenend too.
But I think it's all indirect effects. Also I think being generally healthy could help us handle some of our treatments too.
-
- August 24, 2014 at 4:27 am
Glenda was a long term stage IV survivor (10+ years) long before there were the new therapies. Her point of view was that if she was going to die, it wasn't going to be drinking green tea or whatever. She ate whatever she wanted including desserts and managed to live much longer than most who were diagnosed stage IV 20 years ago.
My diet sucks – I go thru times where it is good and where it is terrible. Stage IB for 22 years. For me, so far, diet hasn't seemed to play a part in causing my melanoma to recur. I agree with the other poster about moderation – eat good but don't forget a treat now and then. Life is worth living now! 🙂
-
- August 24, 2014 at 4:27 am
Glenda was a long term stage IV survivor (10+ years) long before there were the new therapies. Her point of view was that if she was going to die, it wasn't going to be drinking green tea or whatever. She ate whatever she wanted including desserts and managed to live much longer than most who were diagnosed stage IV 20 years ago.
My diet sucks – I go thru times where it is good and where it is terrible. Stage IB for 22 years. For me, so far, diet hasn't seemed to play a part in causing my melanoma to recur. I agree with the other poster about moderation – eat good but don't forget a treat now and then. Life is worth living now! 🙂
-
- August 24, 2014 at 4:27 am
Glenda was a long term stage IV survivor (10+ years) long before there were the new therapies. Her point of view was that if she was going to die, it wasn't going to be drinking green tea or whatever. She ate whatever she wanted including desserts and managed to live much longer than most who were diagnosed stage IV 20 years ago.
My diet sucks – I go thru times where it is good and where it is terrible. Stage IB for 22 years. For me, so far, diet hasn't seemed to play a part in causing my melanoma to recur. I agree with the other poster about moderation – eat good but don't forget a treat now and then. Life is worth living now! 🙂
-
- August 24, 2014 at 2:42 pm
To all,
Would that we COULD control melanoma with diet!!! How nice THAT would be! I have been a runner and healthy eater my entire life…mostly vegetables, very little sweets, fast food or prepackaged food…but with wine, steak, and bacon at times, for sure!!! Yet, I developed melanoma in 2003 and advanced to Stage IV in 2010. Clearly, my diet and exercise plan didn't stop melanoma. Even so, I continue to run and eat a healthy diet. A good exercise and diet plan makes all humans feel better and fight disease to the best of their ability, so I continue that lifestyle and promote it in others. Here is a rant, but with a break down of the diets touted to "cure" melanoma, that a posted on my blog a bit ago…..
People can choose any diet they prefer obviously. By the way, I eat few sweets just cause I don't like them (I know! Weird, huh?) not out of some belief that I am "starving" my cancer. Our bodies turn chickpeas and salmon to glucose, as it does everything we consume as it is the only fuel our body can use. I only get completely bent out of frame, when people choose (or promote) a diet plan as their only treatment. Clearly, their choice, but one that has little chance of success.
I wish you all my best. Celeste
-
- August 24, 2014 at 2:42 pm
To all,
Would that we COULD control melanoma with diet!!! How nice THAT would be! I have been a runner and healthy eater my entire life…mostly vegetables, very little sweets, fast food or prepackaged food…but with wine, steak, and bacon at times, for sure!!! Yet, I developed melanoma in 2003 and advanced to Stage IV in 2010. Clearly, my diet and exercise plan didn't stop melanoma. Even so, I continue to run and eat a healthy diet. A good exercise and diet plan makes all humans feel better and fight disease to the best of their ability, so I continue that lifestyle and promote it in others. Here is a rant, but with a break down of the diets touted to "cure" melanoma, that a posted on my blog a bit ago…..
People can choose any diet they prefer obviously. By the way, I eat few sweets just cause I don't like them (I know! Weird, huh?) not out of some belief that I am "starving" my cancer. Our bodies turn chickpeas and salmon to glucose, as it does everything we consume as it is the only fuel our body can use. I only get completely bent out of frame, when people choose (or promote) a diet plan as their only treatment. Clearly, their choice, but one that has little chance of success.
I wish you all my best. Celeste
-
- August 24, 2014 at 2:42 pm
To all,
Would that we COULD control melanoma with diet!!! How nice THAT would be! I have been a runner and healthy eater my entire life…mostly vegetables, very little sweets, fast food or prepackaged food…but with wine, steak, and bacon at times, for sure!!! Yet, I developed melanoma in 2003 and advanced to Stage IV in 2010. Clearly, my diet and exercise plan didn't stop melanoma. Even so, I continue to run and eat a healthy diet. A good exercise and diet plan makes all humans feel better and fight disease to the best of their ability, so I continue that lifestyle and promote it in others. Here is a rant, but with a break down of the diets touted to "cure" melanoma, that a posted on my blog a bit ago…..
People can choose any diet they prefer obviously. By the way, I eat few sweets just cause I don't like them (I know! Weird, huh?) not out of some belief that I am "starving" my cancer. Our bodies turn chickpeas and salmon to glucose, as it does everything we consume as it is the only fuel our body can use. I only get completely bent out of frame, when people choose (or promote) a diet plan as their only treatment. Clearly, their choice, but one that has little chance of success.
I wish you all my best. Celeste
-
- August 25, 2014 at 3:52 am
For sure, we all have a different take on this, whether it be food, supplements or other opposing variables, but sadly, none of us know with any certainty what is working for our precise strain or situation. I honestly believe, that there are so many factors in this disease and some of us just survive because of the luck of the draw and base our survival on what we're doing at the time…..or not…..it truly is a crap shoot!
I am stage IV for 5 yrs. now and in a constant battle with surgeries, wait and watch and avoiding treatments for as long as I can. I opt for surgery when possible and because my spread is limited, I prefer to do small extractions or cherry pick (as they say) until a different situation presents itself! Tried several treatments but had disasterous results and have no confidence in drugs for myself, except as a last resort!
My personal experience is, I started supplementing my diet with a drink/shake from the Budwig diet that incorporates a lot of flax oil into my diet. I'm not sure if this is the reason for my slow progression or it's just the nature of the beast! But what I can say is, the increased flax oil has changed the health of my skin. I no longer have the dry patchy areas, elbows, knees, heel of my feet and dry eyes too! I feel my skin is stronger or healthier and there has been a physical change. Initially, I followed the Budwig diet as prescribed, but then progressed on to just having a shake everyday with the 3 T. of flax oil as the recipe indicated.
While I don't know for sure if this is the reason for my slow progression, I feel I might be on the right track as the general condition of my skin has improved and considering this is a cancer of the skin, this improvement seems logical in the fight! I started this diet shortly after being diagnosed with stage IV, by a friend from Britain, who follows a naturopathic lifestyle. Again, not sure, but I like the fact that my skin feels healthier, stronger and skin issues have disappeared!
I am not offering this information as a treatment but merely as something that I feel has helped me and obviously I have confirmation of it's benefits and I am still here and doing relatively well with a stage IV diagnosis!
Hope this helps! Take care,
Swanee
-
- September 1, 2014 at 1:37 pm
I hate to burst your bubble, and I'm glad your skin is so healthy, but once you progress to stage IV melanoma really isn't a "skin disease" anymore- it's a generalized, metastatic cancer. There are people who have dermal recurrances or develop second or third primary lesions, but the vast majority are dealing with internal tumors. Even subcutaneous tumors are still not really "skin" tumors- they are tumors in the subcutaneous (literally under the skin, not in the skin) tissues. I suspect that the omega fatty acids in Flax oil and the skin benefits would be more beneficial for preventing the occurance of melanoma rather than trying to use it to fight melanoma once it has already developed.
Regarding diet- I really have nothing particularly thought provoking to add- I do my best to eat lots of (ideally) fresh veggitables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of protien (often chicken). I make as much of my food as I possibly can (except for cereal, though in cooler weather a bowl of slow cooked oatmeal just can't be beat). I do believe that home made soup stock is just about the best thing for whatever ails you. I make my own (especially chicken stock) and I do believe that it was a HUGE benefit to helping me recover from the IL-2 when I was recieving that treatment. I would drink about 2 cups every day and within a couple of hours I'd start to feel better. Good, homemade soup stock (not the meat flavored salt water that is sold in supermarkets) is full of vitamins, minerals, and soluble proteins that your body needs when you're not feeling well and I would recommend it to anyone. I just picked up some supplies the other day so that I will be prepared once we get into some cooler, good stock making weather. Plus, when you're making stock it makes your house smell sooooooo good! Reminds me of when I was a child and my mom would make up big batches of stock for soup or chicken pot pie, or just to freeze for later use. I am so thankful that my parents really valued cooking and passed their skills and appreciation for good self prepared food on to me.
-
- September 1, 2014 at 1:37 pm
I hate to burst your bubble, and I'm glad your skin is so healthy, but once you progress to stage IV melanoma really isn't a "skin disease" anymore- it's a generalized, metastatic cancer. There are people who have dermal recurrances or develop second or third primary lesions, but the vast majority are dealing with internal tumors. Even subcutaneous tumors are still not really "skin" tumors- they are tumors in the subcutaneous (literally under the skin, not in the skin) tissues. I suspect that the omega fatty acids in Flax oil and the skin benefits would be more beneficial for preventing the occurance of melanoma rather than trying to use it to fight melanoma once it has already developed.
Regarding diet- I really have nothing particularly thought provoking to add- I do my best to eat lots of (ideally) fresh veggitables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of protien (often chicken). I make as much of my food as I possibly can (except for cereal, though in cooler weather a bowl of slow cooked oatmeal just can't be beat). I do believe that home made soup stock is just about the best thing for whatever ails you. I make my own (especially chicken stock) and I do believe that it was a HUGE benefit to helping me recover from the IL-2 when I was recieving that treatment. I would drink about 2 cups every day and within a couple of hours I'd start to feel better. Good, homemade soup stock (not the meat flavored salt water that is sold in supermarkets) is full of vitamins, minerals, and soluble proteins that your body needs when you're not feeling well and I would recommend it to anyone. I just picked up some supplies the other day so that I will be prepared once we get into some cooler, good stock making weather. Plus, when you're making stock it makes your house smell sooooooo good! Reminds me of when I was a child and my mom would make up big batches of stock for soup or chicken pot pie, or just to freeze for later use. I am so thankful that my parents really valued cooking and passed their skills and appreciation for good self prepared food on to me.
-
- September 1, 2014 at 1:37 pm
I hate to burst your bubble, and I'm glad your skin is so healthy, but once you progress to stage IV melanoma really isn't a "skin disease" anymore- it's a generalized, metastatic cancer. There are people who have dermal recurrances or develop second or third primary lesions, but the vast majority are dealing with internal tumors. Even subcutaneous tumors are still not really "skin" tumors- they are tumors in the subcutaneous (literally under the skin, not in the skin) tissues. I suspect that the omega fatty acids in Flax oil and the skin benefits would be more beneficial for preventing the occurance of melanoma rather than trying to use it to fight melanoma once it has already developed.
Regarding diet- I really have nothing particularly thought provoking to add- I do my best to eat lots of (ideally) fresh veggitables, whole grains, and moderate amounts of protien (often chicken). I make as much of my food as I possibly can (except for cereal, though in cooler weather a bowl of slow cooked oatmeal just can't be beat). I do believe that home made soup stock is just about the best thing for whatever ails you. I make my own (especially chicken stock) and I do believe that it was a HUGE benefit to helping me recover from the IL-2 when I was recieving that treatment. I would drink about 2 cups every day and within a couple of hours I'd start to feel better. Good, homemade soup stock (not the meat flavored salt water that is sold in supermarkets) is full of vitamins, minerals, and soluble proteins that your body needs when you're not feeling well and I would recommend it to anyone. I just picked up some supplies the other day so that I will be prepared once we get into some cooler, good stock making weather. Plus, when you're making stock it makes your house smell sooooooo good! Reminds me of when I was a child and my mom would make up big batches of stock for soup or chicken pot pie, or just to freeze for later use. I am so thankful that my parents really valued cooking and passed their skills and appreciation for good self prepared food on to me.
-
- September 24, 2014 at 3:32 pm
Good for you Swanee!
-
- September 24, 2014 at 3:32 pm
Good for you Swanee!
-
- September 24, 2014 at 3:32 pm
Good for you Swanee!
-
- August 25, 2014 at 3:52 am
For sure, we all have a different take on this, whether it be food, supplements or other opposing variables, but sadly, none of us know with any certainty what is working for our precise strain or situation. I honestly believe, that there are so many factors in this disease and some of us just survive because of the luck of the draw and base our survival on what we're doing at the time…..or not…..it truly is a crap shoot!
I am stage IV for 5 yrs. now and in a constant battle with surgeries, wait and watch and avoiding treatments for as long as I can. I opt for surgery when possible and because my spread is limited, I prefer to do small extractions or cherry pick (as they say) until a different situation presents itself! Tried several treatments but had disasterous results and have no confidence in drugs for myself, except as a last resort!
My personal experience is, I started supplementing my diet with a drink/shake from the Budwig diet that incorporates a lot of flax oil into my diet. I'm not sure if this is the reason for my slow progression or it's just the nature of the beast! But what I can say is, the increased flax oil has changed the health of my skin. I no longer have the dry patchy areas, elbows, knees, heel of my feet and dry eyes too! I feel my skin is stronger or healthier and there has been a physical change. Initially, I followed the Budwig diet as prescribed, but then progressed on to just having a shake everyday with the 3 T. of flax oil as the recipe indicated.
While I don't know for sure if this is the reason for my slow progression, I feel I might be on the right track as the general condition of my skin has improved and considering this is a cancer of the skin, this improvement seems logical in the fight! I started this diet shortly after being diagnosed with stage IV, by a friend from Britain, who follows a naturopathic lifestyle. Again, not sure, but I like the fact that my skin feels healthier, stronger and skin issues have disappeared!
I am not offering this information as a treatment but merely as something that I feel has helped me and obviously I have confirmation of it's benefits and I am still here and doing relatively well with a stage IV diagnosis!
Hope this helps! Take care,
Swanee
-
- August 25, 2014 at 3:52 am
For sure, we all have a different take on this, whether it be food, supplements or other opposing variables, but sadly, none of us know with any certainty what is working for our precise strain or situation. I honestly believe, that there are so many factors in this disease and some of us just survive because of the luck of the draw and base our survival on what we're doing at the time…..or not…..it truly is a crap shoot!
I am stage IV for 5 yrs. now and in a constant battle with surgeries, wait and watch and avoiding treatments for as long as I can. I opt for surgery when possible and because my spread is limited, I prefer to do small extractions or cherry pick (as they say) until a different situation presents itself! Tried several treatments but had disasterous results and have no confidence in drugs for myself, except as a last resort!
My personal experience is, I started supplementing my diet with a drink/shake from the Budwig diet that incorporates a lot of flax oil into my diet. I'm not sure if this is the reason for my slow progression or it's just the nature of the beast! But what I can say is, the increased flax oil has changed the health of my skin. I no longer have the dry patchy areas, elbows, knees, heel of my feet and dry eyes too! I feel my skin is stronger or healthier and there has been a physical change. Initially, I followed the Budwig diet as prescribed, but then progressed on to just having a shake everyday with the 3 T. of flax oil as the recipe indicated.
While I don't know for sure if this is the reason for my slow progression, I feel I might be on the right track as the general condition of my skin has improved and considering this is a cancer of the skin, this improvement seems logical in the fight! I started this diet shortly after being diagnosed with stage IV, by a friend from Britain, who follows a naturopathic lifestyle. Again, not sure, but I like the fact that my skin feels healthier, stronger and skin issues have disappeared!
I am not offering this information as a treatment but merely as something that I feel has helped me and obviously I have confirmation of it's benefits and I am still here and doing relatively well with a stage IV diagnosis!
Hope this helps! Take care,
Swanee
-
- August 27, 2014 at 5:20 am
My own diet used to consist of a quarter pounder with cheese every weekday. I was a junk food junkie. Taste and texture was all I cared about. I was also under a lot of stress and never exercised. I became Stage IV melanoma around July 2012. I was told that diet and lifestyle made no difference by my doctor. I found it hard to believe that this cancer just showed up "out of the blue" for no reason. Focus was on treatment (I had a lobe of my lung removed) but not on the reason I got the cancer in the first place. Was my immune system asleep at the wheel? I made no changes because "they got it all" (I was misdiagnosed with a different cancer). January 2014 two new tumors in my left lung. Finally a correct diagnosis. In March I dramatically changed my eating habits and began supplementing under the direction of a Naturopath. I was scanned again in June and no new mets were found. The existing mets grew moderately but are still small. I've made some additional changes and will be scanned again Sept 9th.
I have no way of knowing if the lack of new mets is due to the changes I've made or if that's just the normal course of the disease for me. But the side effects of my lifestyle changes have been great (lost 35 unwanted pounds so far, much more energy and clarity of thinking, no more sneeze attacks in the mornings). Aside from the cancer, my quality of life is much improved. Nourishing my body with natural food just seems like a logical thing to do for optimal health. Processed foods didn't really exist much before the 50's. Seems more folks have cancer younger these days. Coincidence?
You will not find a consensus among people out there regarding diet and its effects on cancer. Read up on it if it interests you and do what makes sense to you.
Best of health and luck to you!
Maggie
-
- September 24, 2014 at 3:32 pm
I sometimes wish there were a "Like" button on each persons posts….so I could just support their choices with a little "Like."
Maggie – to me, it looks like you are doing great things for yourself. I love reading your posts.
Have a great one, Laurie
-
- September 24, 2014 at 3:32 pm
I sometimes wish there were a "Like" button on each persons posts….so I could just support their choices with a little "Like."
Maggie – to me, it looks like you are doing great things for yourself. I love reading your posts.
Have a great one, Laurie
-
- September 24, 2014 at 3:32 pm
I sometimes wish there were a "Like" button on each persons posts….so I could just support their choices with a little "Like."
Maggie – to me, it looks like you are doing great things for yourself. I love reading your posts.
Have a great one, Laurie
-
- August 27, 2014 at 5:20 am
My own diet used to consist of a quarter pounder with cheese every weekday. I was a junk food junkie. Taste and texture was all I cared about. I was also under a lot of stress and never exercised. I became Stage IV melanoma around July 2012. I was told that diet and lifestyle made no difference by my doctor. I found it hard to believe that this cancer just showed up "out of the blue" for no reason. Focus was on treatment (I had a lobe of my lung removed) but not on the reason I got the cancer in the first place. Was my immune system asleep at the wheel? I made no changes because "they got it all" (I was misdiagnosed with a different cancer). January 2014 two new tumors in my left lung. Finally a correct diagnosis. In March I dramatically changed my eating habits and began supplementing under the direction of a Naturopath. I was scanned again in June and no new mets were found. The existing mets grew moderately but are still small. I've made some additional changes and will be scanned again Sept 9th.
I have no way of knowing if the lack of new mets is due to the changes I've made or if that's just the normal course of the disease for me. But the side effects of my lifestyle changes have been great (lost 35 unwanted pounds so far, much more energy and clarity of thinking, no more sneeze attacks in the mornings). Aside from the cancer, my quality of life is much improved. Nourishing my body with natural food just seems like a logical thing to do for optimal health. Processed foods didn't really exist much before the 50's. Seems more folks have cancer younger these days. Coincidence?
You will not find a consensus among people out there regarding diet and its effects on cancer. Read up on it if it interests you and do what makes sense to you.
Best of health and luck to you!
Maggie
-
- August 27, 2014 at 5:20 am
My own diet used to consist of a quarter pounder with cheese every weekday. I was a junk food junkie. Taste and texture was all I cared about. I was also under a lot of stress and never exercised. I became Stage IV melanoma around July 2012. I was told that diet and lifestyle made no difference by my doctor. I found it hard to believe that this cancer just showed up "out of the blue" for no reason. Focus was on treatment (I had a lobe of my lung removed) but not on the reason I got the cancer in the first place. Was my immune system asleep at the wheel? I made no changes because "they got it all" (I was misdiagnosed with a different cancer). January 2014 two new tumors in my left lung. Finally a correct diagnosis. In March I dramatically changed my eating habits and began supplementing under the direction of a Naturopath. I was scanned again in June and no new mets were found. The existing mets grew moderately but are still small. I've made some additional changes and will be scanned again Sept 9th.
I have no way of knowing if the lack of new mets is due to the changes I've made or if that's just the normal course of the disease for me. But the side effects of my lifestyle changes have been great (lost 35 unwanted pounds so far, much more energy and clarity of thinking, no more sneeze attacks in the mornings). Aside from the cancer, my quality of life is much improved. Nourishing my body with natural food just seems like a logical thing to do for optimal health. Processed foods didn't really exist much before the 50's. Seems more folks have cancer younger these days. Coincidence?
You will not find a consensus among people out there regarding diet and its effects on cancer. Read up on it if it interests you and do what makes sense to you.
Best of health and luck to you!
Maggie
-
- September 26, 2014 at 2:06 am
Diet change is crucial. Animal protein (eggs, dairy, meat) and sugar are the two worst things a cancer patient can eat.
-
- September 26, 2014 at 2:06 am
Diet change is crucial. Animal protein (eggs, dairy, meat) and sugar are the two worst things a cancer patient can eat.
-
- September 26, 2014 at 2:06 am
Diet change is crucial. Animal protein (eggs, dairy, meat) and sugar are the two worst things a cancer patient can eat.
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.