Stage 3C2 Cervical Cancer: Para-aortic Nodes & Recovery Strategies

I have a similar diagnosis thank you for asking questions I would like to see some that I had not experienced .So glad to hear you are doing well.

@emirhan Thank you for your post and your excellent questions. You are very compassionate and kind to come here and ask on behalf of your mother who is facing such a difficult journey ahead. I'm relieved to know that she is tolerating her treatment so well.

We are not medical professionals on Mayo ClinicConnect and so cannot provide advice or recommendations for your questions. We can provide you with our own lived experiences and many of our members here in the Gynecological Cancers Support Group have shared that our experiences and support have been helpful in making decisions.

I'm going to tag a few of our members who have modified their diets and taken supplements although they may not share the same kind of cancer. They may help you with your Question #4. @denisestlouie @mommacandy @riverdancer @ffr

Re Question #4: My break between chemo and radiation was focused on self care as my body & brain were finished with Phase 1. I did get stronger and was ready to get Phase 2 (radiation) started & over with.
Throughout the program, we need to watch out for things that don’t feel right, that seem different in our bodies and from what we are told to expect. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and to write down the answers. Nurse Navigators can be very helpful so get a direct number. If your providers utilize a portal, that’s a good place for non-urgent inquiries. Try not to think too far ahead, though o understand the anxiety. And come back here as questions come up. You are a devoted & wonderful daughter!!!

Re: supplements and cancer and chemo.
Iron supplementation can be dicey. There are studies that see it fueling cancer growth. It's best to consult your oncologist first. (https://www.aacr.org/blog/2024/12/06/iron-in-cancer-ironing-out-the-intricacies/) Dietary iron is advised (https://www.oncolink.org/support/nutrition-and-cancer/during-and-after-treatment/iron-rich-foods-during-cancer-treatment)
Magnesium absorption: High levels of iron can reduce magnesium's absorption, especially if taken together.(https://www.health.com/supplements-to-avoid-with-magnesium-11917539.)
Vit D3: Take it together with magnesium and fat, since D3 is fat soluble

Personally, I aim to get my nutrition from real foods. I only take a magnesium supplement (300) with D3, and B12 (1000) with B-complex vitamin. If I should take a multivitamin, I make sure it does not contain iron.

i personally can't answer a lot of it but i can say my diet i added a lot of mushrooms (things like lions mane oyster, chestnut, etc i'd get from local mushroom growers NOT the white ones from the store) and shellfish (especially oysters and scallops) which helped with the metallic taste i get while on chemo...this go around i've found myself craving blackberries, generally i follow what my body craves or can tolerate,,,
my current supplements are zinc, magnesium, essiac, cranberry, turmeric, and b17, but that does occasionally change up depending on how i'm feeling... i'm hoping the zinc will help with the rebuilding on my neutrophils to actually allow me to get chemo next week...its a new trial thing i'm doing... i did not cut out sugar or anything else...but thats me personally...i just find i don't crave sweets right now and i've found acupuncture to be invaluable in helping manage nausea etc, never had radiation so no help there
hope that helps diet wise...

@mommacandy Just wondering if your current supplement regime is being guided by a complementary/alternative cancer treatment professional. Am also somewhat alarmed to read that you are taking B17. I have read in numerous sources that it is dangerous to take, especially for cancer patients, for it converts to cyanide in the body, which is toxic and can be fatal. Here is a recent article I read for more information: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/laetrile-pdq

I stopped ALL supplements because so many of them interfered with chemotherapy treatments. I take only my prescription meds. I do take magnesium. Do the research to see which ones are safe to take. I have stage 4 endometrial cancer. Had hysterectomy in August. My tumor marker, CA125, numbers are going in the wrong direction. They are in the 800's. I'm having another blood draw tomorrow, Friday. My treatments aren't working anymore. Hoping we can come up with a different one.

@cookercooker yea my oncology doc is aware of what i am taking and they are fine with it at the dose i take it.. i grew up eating wild and foraged foods, often cracking the pits of peaches and plums from our land etc for that kernel inside because i liked it... (can't stand them now lol)
i appreciate your concern, I have a rather large "care team" for lack of a better term, docs in various specialties due to my various needs including primary care, endocrinology, neurology, oncology, dermatology, etc., care coordinator who makes sure everyone knows everything, nutritionist, geneticist, chaplain, social worker, acupuncturist, massage therapist, pharmacist who checks all prescriptions for interactions and so forth.. Believe me i've done tons of research on anything before it goes in my body... and its because of my awareness of my body, i knew the cancer had come back before the blood tests ever alerted them to that fact,
in fact day of my first chemo this go around, my ca 125 was still only at 21, well under the 35 marker that would have triggered them and my np in oncology was astounded when she saw my CT, she was the one who ordered it to "prove to me the cancer wasn't back" .. but i was right...and so i'm back on chemo...
now i know i'm the "exception to the rule" and there's no one sure answer for anyone, but for me yes they are fine with what i take...

@mommacandy
good to know. Thank you.

@carol1024 What therapy are you on? And how many have you had? When you say they aren't working anymore, I assume they were at one point, indicating a positive response. I ask because I had a positive response to carboplatin/paclitaxel for a few months after the 6-cycle treatment. Then the tumors increased in size and a new one was detected. I have been on Enhertu treatment with 18 cycles under my belt, and there is no evident disease now.