
<b>If you are contemplating a major change in diet because of your cancer diagnosis, consult with a licensed dietician experienced in oncology.</b>

A Vegan diet is probably more cancer preventive than any other.  However, vegan diets, diets without any animal products in them at all, are difficult to balance in terms of complete total protein and B vitamins.  They require careful construction and observation, and unless you are an expert, you should probably start out with a good dietician.

If you are not expert with nutrition, a low saturated fat, low red meat diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains will do.  Chicken, fish, egg white, and low and fat-free dairy are all good sources of protein.  

If you are recovering from treatment, extra protein and B vitamins are often needed above the resting levels.  However, if there is anemia due to iron deficiency, red meat or iron supplementation will probably be necessary.

The standard cruciforms, e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, are good to include in your diet as they are cancer preventive.  As are tomatoes.

Juicing sounds like SUCH a healthy practice, but considering the amount of constipation that occurs during and because of cancer treatment, it would be better to eat the entire fruit or vegetable, with all of their roughage or fiber.  Unless, of course, you have mouth sores.

The raw foods diet may not have enough protein in it, and might not have enough calories as well.  

Tumor cells which have estrogen receptors might be stimulated weakly by dietary phytoestrogens.  Pre-menopausally, the lower estrogen stimulation might be cancer preventive.  Post-menopausally, and if on an aromatase inhibitor, phytoestrogens might stimulate estrogen receptor positive tumor cells.

Keeping proper nutrition during cancer treatment has its problems. Chemotherapy can be associated with loss of appetite from nausea, increased appetite from steroids, mouth sores, constipation, and profound changes in taste and smell of food.  Supplements are often used.  During radiation therapy there is sometimes nausea, diarrhea or difficulty swallowing.  This also has its problems and its solutions.  Often dieticians are available for consultation as part of the medical team.  

Sometimes people with cancer will be eating a full complete diet and still lose weight.  This can decrease survival time.   Weight loss and its management is discussed in a later segment.

Avoid any "cancer treatment" diet that removes normal food from your diet, and then requires that you buy their supplements because of vital nutrients that were removed.  Any diet that is "faddy" or requires strange ingredients or preparations, or buying special supplements or equipment should be avoided, and checked out on &&url.

<b>It does seem to get complicated, doesn't it?  That's why an experienced, registered, licensed dietician is the best place to start if you are contemplating dietary changes.  </b>

There is a &&url that has suggested foods to eat each week, recipes and 2 weeks of menus.  The site is authored by Diana Dyer, MS, RD.  She has also written a book called A Dietician's Cancer Story. 

<b>Dialogues About Diet and LMS: </b>
>>I have also been to the Block Center in Evanston, IL and am trying to follow their diet and supplement plan. Does anyone else on this list follow a strict (vegan) diet and take  supplements to boost immunity?<<

Look at this article on the quackwatch website:
&&url


>>I have read about the Block Center, but have no personal experience.  When I was first diagnosed I read everything I could get my hands on.  These places are springing up everywhere.  Even in my hometown alliances are currently forming between naturopaths and cancer providers and their patients.  What diet and supplement plan do they suggest?  We had a discussion about vegan diets very recently.  Check the archives by typing in the keyword vegan.<<

<b>Dana-Farber has the Zakim Center for Integrated Therapies.  Their programs are based on peer-reviewed, evidence-based research.  I would be guided by their "Fighting Cancer With Your Fork" seminar, "Antioxidants and Cancer" and Herbal Combinations and Cancer" research, their lectures, fact sheets and seminars.  I have the American Cancer Society's Health Eating Cookbook I was given when I attended the I Can Cope classes.  Buy the best food you can afford and enjoy preparing and eating it.</b>


>>As it seems with the other aspects of LMS, you do what is right for you when its right for you.<<

<b>As it IS with other aspects of LMS,  you learn enough to know what your options are, and the risks and benefits and permanent disabilities of each choice.  Try not to blindly trust or make rash decisions, especially out of desperation, thoughtlessness, ignorance, or fatigue.</b>

doctordee
December 2003