My mom has a sweet tooth, and has been continuing to eat a lot of sweets since she was diagnosed with SCLC. How important is one's diet while fighting SCLC or cancer in general? We hate to tell her she can't eat what she wants, so I'm wanting to learn if certain foods really are detrimental to the body's ability to fight cancer. And what foods are supposed to be helpful? I appreciate any input. If someone can point me to a good website, that would be great too.
Thanks - John
There are foods that are supposed to be helpful like green tea, broccoli etc so you might want to encourage her to eat those things, however, I'd let her eat her sweets in peace. She is in need of some sweetness in life right now. In fact, find goodies she really loves and bring them to her. There is no way food will make it or break it. I know. We did the food thing with my brother and now I wish we hadn't. It didn't help and he spend months of his life on a diet when he could have enjoyed himself more. I'm NOT saying give up and just indulge her, but I would encourage you to think in terms of quality of life and not just treatment.
I can tell you that one of the BIGGEST NO NO's is sugar -
karen
I know I have read about sugar and cancer, but I'm curious if it's really true, I've heard it's somewhat of a myth - Peyz can you elaborate?
The other thing to consider is weight loss. Many cancer patients lose a significant amount of weight, which is not good. Our Drs at Dana Farber vehemently believe that calories, no matter what form, trump nutrition if the patient is rapidly losing weight from nausea, fatigue, etc. The should eat whatever they can, whenever they can (we're dealing with this with my mom).
Don't get me wrong, to the extent it's possible, by all means, a nutritious diet is important. But there is a need for balance. Also, if blood counts are low, it's important to eat iron rich foods.
HTH
Hello,
during my Chemo and Radiation ( SCLC ) I ate whatever I wanted. Let your Mom have whatever she wants. Life is to short to not live it to the fullest.
God bless you
Kerstin
I think you should let your mom eat the sweets. Trust me, there may be a time in her treatment that she won't be able to eat them depending on what kind of treatment process she is or will be going through.
Wish you and your mother the best.
Truelove
I think you should let your mom eat the sweets. Trust me, there may be a time in her treatment that she won't be able to eat them depending on what kind of treatment process she is or will be going through.
Wish you and your mother the best.
Truelove
Hello John,
If your mom is or has lost a significant amount of weight, like my mom, the oncologist said to eat, eat, eat!!! They doesn't care what is eaten as long as it is high calorie and high protein.
Ditto to hopefuldaughter!
Best wishes,
me
My Dad lost 50 lbs in the beginning - and has since gained it all back. We do try to encourage good nutrition, but he never denies himself something if he wants it. I am glad to see him get back to a "fighting weight". He may need those extra pounds. He does drink pure pomegranate juice and take co-Q10 - of course approved by the onc.
Dad lost his appetite completely in the beginning - and it's a pleasure to see him enjoying food again - so my advice to you is let your mom enjoy whatever she wants.
m
Maybe my Dad had the Dr. at Dana Farber as hopeful daughter but he told us to keep our Dad eating. Balance and variety are of course the best way to go.
We served Dad whatever he wanted ,he took a multi vitamin and we did make sure he got plenty of fluids.
I agree with Kerstin life is too short Lifes to short not to enjoy what you love
The same with me. I was only 110 at the start of treament so they said anything at all that you wanted eat it! By a month after ending treatment I had gained back what I lost plus 5 pounds.
Unfortunately, I have the biggest sweet tooth alive! I probably eat more sweets than anyone I know. I asked my oncologist about it because I can't stop myself and probably eat more sweets than real food (always have and wish I could stop). He said I shouldn't worry about it - that it would be nice if I could eat healthier, but there has been no proof that sugar does anything to cancer (unless it's shot right into your blood like it is in a PET scan).
Susan
I am a huage advocate for changing your diet when you are diagnosed with cancer. There have been studies proven showing you can increase your survival time by changing your diet and feeding your body the nutrition it needs. The best book to buy is beating cancer with nutrition by Patrick Quillan. Or you can organise an appointment with a naturopath.
Your body needs the nutrients to help with the side effects of chemo or surgery.
Knowledge is power, and there are lots of books out there. To be honest once you change your diet and eat healthy foods then your taste buds start craving them rather than the sugar. Its a win-win situation.
Hope this helps
x
The surgar thing is a 50/50 issue depending on who you talk too. Some studies say surgar feeds cancer, and some say that's not ture! I'm a 13 year survivor and I eat what I want. I also have two friends with Small Cell who are 8 and 9 year survivors and they too eat what they want to, and that includes sugar items. Like anything try not to over due it, but try and eat your veggies and excersie the best you can.
Warm regards,
Connie
I have SCLC and doing well. I ate anything I wanted when treating and they just wanted me to get calories. After treatment, they talked nutrition more, veggies and fruits. I was never told to stay off sugar and I have been clear for over a year. Have her eat what she wants but try for nutrition also if possible.
my head is telling me to advise you to tell your mom to hit the veggies hard and that there are theories that cancer feeds on carbs, particularly sugary carbs.
my heart is telling me to advise you to get whatever calories into your mom that she can handle - and it's obvious that she likes sweet things, because she likes you!
seriously - SCLC is a rotten enough battle without having to look at brussel's sprouts 24/7 - consider the view from 20 years from now - would you regret looking back and seeing yourself taking away one of your mom's pleasures? besides, smiles and love fight cancer, also. go get some ice cream and make some powerful, joyous memories....and then have some brussel's sprouts for dessert...
hugs
Pat
BBella - was curious who your family saw at DF? My mom loves her doctor and we have no issue, but I have yet to find someone who's been treated by him. Dr. David Kwiatkowski. Thanks.
Personally, I say go for the sweets in moderation. That's what I try to do, as I try to at least attempt to maintain my weight while I go through the chemo and radiation. I try to get the "good" foods in but to keep the calories up, candy, cookies, ice cream, are what does it for me!
Also, I've been drinking Ensure, which believe it or not isn't half bad. They're high in calories and have nutrition in them.
Frank
Hi John, I just received my issue of Cure magazine and I haven't had time to read it all but I did scan through. I saw an article on just this subject. The article is looking at vitamins and antioxidants. I think it says doctors now are worried about taking these while in treatment. You can check it out at www.curetoday.com.- John
Oh by the way the magazine is a very good one for cancer patients and surviors. It is also FREE. - John
I was fighting over donuts and whatever sweet, because my husband developed sweet tooth at the beginning of this "journey" /yes, I read everywhere that cancer thrive on sweets/. Right now my husband hates food in general and I wish he a least had a donut..
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