My Alternative Cancer Diary : nutrition

My Cancer-Beating Diet

Sue Insole — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:38:00 GMT

The blood tests I was told to have every six months to monitor my progress measured two main things, or tumour markers:

1. The level of telomerase. Telomerase is an enzyme that helps a cell to self-replicate. If an increased number of cells have active telomerase, it means that there is some destruction of transformed cells – the kind you would find in a cancerous tumour.
2. Pyruvate kinase level. Abnormal cells have an increased level of this enzyme in the blood. High levels are associated with the presence of a cancerous tumour with an increased risk of spread (metastasis potential). The normal reading in the blood should be 15 or below.

My first blood test showed the first tumour marker to have 1,500 cells per ul, and the second marker to have 21.00.

The doctos was encouraged by this result, and said the all important second tumour marker was just borderline abnormal (six points above the norm).

I was advised to continue with my new diet. By this time I had completely transformed my diet, incorporating these changes:

Vegetable juices three times a day
Increased levels of vitamins A, E and C
25 apricot kernels a day for vitamin B17
Two vitamin B17 tablets twice a day
Other supplements, including EPA and flaxseed oil
More oily fish
Limited meat
Plenty of fruit and vegetables
No sweet foods

The doctor had told me that I could drink a few glasses of red wine each day if I wanted – until this point, I had been completely abstaining from alcohol.

This post is part of a weekly series in which Sue Insole describes her health journey. Click here to read her earlier posts.

Click here to get an email update when Sue writes her next post.

SUSAN INSOLE, BSYA (N Th.) is a former NHS nurse and is now a nutritional therapist in the field of natural health. She worked in a health care setting for 16 years, firstly in the field of rehabilitation and then as a welfare officer and secretary within a hospital setting. She was also an advisor for weight loss in 2001 - 2003. She achieved a diploma in 2006 for nutritional therapy. She is the author of a downloadable eBook, What Works in Health. Her website is: www.naturalhealthbenefits.com.

What the Nutritionist Told Me

Sue Insole — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 09:40:00 GMT

In July 2004 I went to see a nutritionist who had once been a medical doctor. I had found her name on the Internet, and made an appointment to visit her practice in Bristol.

We talked about the possible treatments, and took a blood test. She asked me what my diet was like now, and I told her that I had started taking apricot kernels and eating more salads and fruit, and taking some supplements I had read about, like B6, Co-Enzyme Q10 and so on. She was extremely helpful, and made me feel very positive.

The blood test had to be sent away for analysis, and it cost £125, but to me it was money well spent. The nutritionist also gave me a list of supplements to take, and told me what foods to eat more of, and what to avoid. She also told me to take Vitamin B17 tablets as well as the kernels. When I left it was arranged that I would speak to her after the results of the blood test came through.

This post is part of a weekly series in which Sue Insole describes her health journey. Click here to read her earlier posts. Next week, Sue describes the initial consequences of her dietary changes.

Click here to get an email update when Sue writes her next post.

What the Doctor Said

Sue Insole — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:37:00 GMT

When my appointment with the consultant came around, I went with much trepidation, but at the same time was anxious to get it over with so I could know the worst.

My worst fears were confirmed when the consultant explained that because they had found some cancerous cells that were starting to come through from the original site in the ducts of the breast, it was no longer DCIS (or Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) but Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. It was a slow growing type and was at stage 1-2. He told me that there was a good likelihood that the cancer could be stopped by removing my left breast and some of the lymph nodes would be removed for testing at the same time. There may also be the possibility of taking Taxoxifen for a while afterwards if the cancer was oestrogen dependent.

I instinctively said “NO!” as soon as he said this, and my husband asked if there was anything else they could do besides this as it seemed such a drastic step to take for such a small area that had not been causing me any bother up until now. He sadly shook his head and repeated what he had told me.

I hadn’t put much thought into it up until then but at the back of my mind I vaguely remembered something I had read about an alternative treatment involving apricots and apple seeds, but couldn’t remember what.

I said I would go away and think about it, and would give my answer in a few days. He said that time was of the essence and it should not be left for too long.

Arrangements were made for the breast care nurse to call in a few days’ time and go over what the operation would entail. “Don’t worry,” the consultant said as we left, “We’ll look after you”. Somehow I wasn’t reassured.

This post is part of a weekly series in which Sue Insole describes her health journey. Her first post, The Letter Every Woman Dreads, describes the painful process of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Next week, Sue discusses the impact her condition had on her family, and explains how she started to think about alternative treatments.

Click here to get an email update when Sue writes her next post.