Diet and cancer: What changes have you made?

Very good info. I am not as strong or committed as you are yet. I try, but I still use the microwave and drink beer and wine.

I drink wine and beer in moderation. Dr Li notes that both have some good properties as long as we don’t over consume.

my oncologist recommended a plant based diet, olive oil, tomatoes, green tea and I am now used to it, like it, and hope like hell that it does me some good, as I can use all the good that I can get!

Thank you all for your helpful and informative comments. I always believed it is extremely important to follow a healthy diet regardless whether you have health problems or not,and couldn't believe the Surgeon was so lacking in promoting this.

Going on a plant based diet has also helped me mentally. It has given me a tool to fight a life threatening illness and I am not just relying on my doctors visits and surgery and medication etc. It is a tool in my tool box that goes along with exercising within my limitations, getting enough sleep, taking my meds at the same time each day and eating right and keeping a good attitude and fighting depression. My prognosis was for just a few years and I am doing my part to increase my odds. I have always set goals and worked to achieve them and fighting cancer is now an important goal for me. I am 76 and hope to see 80. If I make 80 I will amend my age goal. Good luck to you all.

Thank you and good luck!

That's good news. I only have one beer or glass of wine a day. I found a 4% low alcohol beer which I love.

@kahiko1, you may also wish to join the discussions in the:
- Lung Cancer Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/

For everyone, here are some related discussions
- Diet and cancer discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=diet+and+cancer

And some videos and articles from Mayo Clinic about diet and cancer
- Diet and nutrition help cancer survivors return to good health
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/podcasts/newsfeed-post/diet-and-nutrition-help-cancer-survivors-return-to-good-health/
- 8 Practical Tips to Get Started with Plant Focused Eating
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/8-practical-tips-to-get-started-with-plant-focused-eating/
- Expert Q & A: How can I add more plants to my diet?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/newsfeed-post/expert-q-a-how-can-i-add-more-plants-to-my-diet/
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Disease Fighting Foods
Eating a healthy diet now can reduce your risk of developing cancer and other diseases in the future. Grace Fjeldberg, a Mayo Clinic Health System dietitian, discussed easy and practical ways to use nutrition to prevent colon and other cancers.

It astonishes me that so many in the mainstream medical community aren't willing to go out on a limb in this one instance (where a healthful change can't possibly hinder one's treatment) and say, "Yes -- I think that the kind of fuel you put into your body matters. So eat lots of plants, don't eat lab chemicals, and buy organic everything if you can afford it."

I mean, the cancer center where I'm treated hands out Ensure! Lab chemicals and sugar out the wazoo.

In 2012-13, I experienced significant improvement bc of diet. I had developed pain and swelling in many of my joints (turned out to be an autoimmune disease); as I waited to be seen by a clinic (I had no insurance and had only PT work, thanks to the Great Recession), I cut most lab chemicals and most sugar, and I felt significantly better / had far less swelling.

Bc of some intense life stressors, I didn't stick with the improved diet -- but finally, in Nov. 2019, at age 58, I switched to a plant-based, almost-no-added-sugar, almost-zero-lab-chemicals diet, and I stuck with it for 3+ years. I firmly believe that my improved diet and mostly better health contributed to my having a reasonably easy time with a notoriously toxic chemo (FOLFIRINOX).

Yes, a good diet didn't prevent my cancer -- but there's a lot of cancer in my family (it killed 3 of the 9 in my parents' generation, and so far 4 of 14 of us in my generation on my mother's side have, or had, cancer), so I think my genetic predisposition, plus many years without healthcare, plus many years of mega-stress + poor sleep + mediocre diet, made it almost inevitable.

(Weirdly, after my symptoms exploded, in Jan. 2023, my taste buds changed 100%, and I've eaten not-so-well this past year -- but I'm finally regaining my former taste buds and gradually reverting to my former diet: lots of veg, beans, brown rice, steel-cut oats, some millet, some quinoa, some fruit, some tofu, some fish, some nut butters, a little dairy, and a little dark chocolate. Also, in case others have little prep time or a tiny budget, as do I, consider relying on frozen veg -- not as versatile as fresh, but I've read that they're equally nutritious.)

So, yes, go for a plant-based, whole-foods, no-lab-chemicals, low-or-no-sugar diet. And, organic whenever you can, preferably always. Good luck.

PS: I haven't yet read "How to Starve Cancer" by Jane McLelland, but it has been recommended.

This timely article regarding a Plant Based Diet for cancer patients popped into my mailbox this morning.
“Dawn Mussallem, D.O., an integrative health specialist at Mayo Clinic, says it's not about one food or diet, but rather a dietary pattern that emphasizes a predominant plant-based diet that is high in fiber. And, Dr. Mussallem says, 97% of Americans aren't getting enough fiber.”

Dr. Mussallem discusses what it means to eat a plant based diet in a video offered within the article.
This from the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Blog:
https://cancerblog.mayoclinic.org/2023/09/19/plant-based-diet-is-encouraged-for-people-with-cancer/