Article by Jodie Guerrero, written 2011.
Although I very much believe that what you eat can have an effect on SOME cancers - not all are altered/changed or prevented simply by changing your diet. As Cancer is a very complex disease and is not just one disease - but a collection of several hundred different types, there are many causes and many different treatments to match the diversity of what we call a malignancy. For example, Lymphoma has 2 major types - Hodgkins Lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL). There are no subtypes of HL, but approx. 37 known sub-types of NHL. No one simple disease with one simple approach.
I use the examples of Linda McCartney (amongst others who also practised holistic and organic nutrition based lifestyles) sadly she still developed breast cancer and passed away, regardless of her 'natural or nutrition' based efforts. In addition, the fact that there are many, many babies or young Children who develop forms of cancer, proves that food in many cases has nothing to do with the development of a great deal of Cancers. Some babies as infants have little or no exposure to toxicities or food, prior to diagnosis.
Also, we must consider cancers, like blood cancers - Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma & others which have no relation to food or lifestyle, but which are caused by viruses and the susequent DNA/cell damage those viruses inflict on the potential blood cancer paitient. In fact, I know from research and information from Heamotologist's, that anyone who contracts 'Epstein-Barr Virus' EPV (a virus responsible for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) - can be left with damaged immune cells, which can turn malignant and cause a form of blood cancer.
Epstein-Barr is absolutely the most common virus in human history and 90% of the world's population carry it with no knowledge of it's exsistence or habitation in their bodies. It's symptoms are simply similar to a cold. However, in some people it causes immune cell damage and can therefore be responsible for some forms of Cancer. In addition to Epstein-Barr - Glandular Fever GF (which can present as a bad case of the flu) can also make itself at home in one's body and cause DNA cellular or immune cell damage on it's own or in conjuction with Epstein-Barr.
These 2 virsues (amongst many) along with complex viruses like Human Papillomavirus (HPV) [which can also form cancer of the cervix], really prove that nutrition or holistic type practises do not influence or change the path of many cancers that man must deal with today.
When I was diagnosed with NHL (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) - at only 35, my diet was fine, lots of good food and water, never smoked, drank alcohol or took drugs and I had an active spiritual life. But, post diagnosis tests revealed I had been exposed to both EPV and GF, even though I was healthy and had a good immune system, I still got cancer.
Clearly, there is much more to Cancer than Nutrtition and Holistic Practises....and if that is all it took - we would all be cured and not fighting this awful disease.
As humans, we often want to control everything to bring us comfort and peace. Whether you are religious or not, having control over one's life can bring us a great deal of calm and happiness. Additionally as humans, we all want to believe and feel that we are in control of our own health. That we as people can alter or change the path of serious disease or disability, as a result of disease. I know when I was diagnosed & admitted, I went straight to my hospital bookstore and purchased a book on Cancer and food and happily announced to my Nurse Educator that I must have caused my own Cancer and that with my new book, my life was now changing.
He replied back and said 'Before you get that notion stuck in your head, I must tell you that Nutrition or Diet most likely had nothing to do with your disease or diagnosis' and I was shocked. I had always thought (as does most of the population) that Cancer was always caused by poor lifestyle, smoking, drinking and careless living. That it was a course of life that you could change, both pre and post diagnosis. How very wrong was I. So my educational journey began and in some ways to my relief that (according to research, my nurse educator & my doctors) I could not have done anything different to change my diagnosis, nor (as a human) control the outcome or prognosis.
That may sound scary, but my firm belief is that God is in control of everything and everyone and for reasons we may not understand on this earth, he allows certain people to endure hardship and difficulties that some people completely miss or don't even know about.
This Includes those who obviously do not treat their bodies well, as a result of their lifestyles and would be in a top tier for cancer risk. Like some smokers or heavy drinkers, who never get cancer but smoke like chimneys or drink like a fish. Ie: my grandfather who lived to 102 and got drunk almost every day of his adult life, but only died of old age in a retirement home after having a shower and sitting down in his chair. No Liver cancer, etc. Compare that to me, with a clean lifestyle and no poor decisions, getting NHL at 35 - a disease usually reserved for the elderly, not the young.
So, in conclusion - Cancer is so, so complex with hundreds of dieases & causes and hopefully one day, we will find the cure. But, in the meantime - we must remember that changing one or even multiple areas of our diet, nutrition or holistic approaches probably will not prevent or cure an impending cancer or current cancer.
AND
The best treatments available today are in our best hospitals. Chemo and Radiotherapy has saved my life and so far has given me another 5 precious years with my husband and girls. I had no time to look at other options when my disease was discovered anyway and needed cancer treatment ASAP. I thank God for chemo and radiation.
I also thank God for giving me life, gifting me with a challenge that has changed my mind & spirit for the better & given me a new reason to change the world - Lymphoma has been a difficult phase, but God has used my journey to touch the lives of thousands and make a difference to other cancer patients who need uplifting or encouragement.
