Large Doses Of Beta Carotene And Essiac While Taking Chemotherapy

Just a month ago I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 3. The lymph nodes were clear but venous/lymphatic invasion was present. I had a lumpectomy and have now begun a course of chemotherapy. 5-Fluorouracil Infusion, Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide. As soon as I was diagnosed I began to take Essiac, Beta-Carotene, Vitimin C & E and a fish oil supplement. The oncologist has told me not to take any large doses of anti-oxidents as they could interfer with my treatments. I find this upsetting as I have read much that is hopeful regarding cell protection during these treatments. Has anyone else been given this directive? I need to know his reasoning.

Hi, my husband has mesothelioma cancer from asbestos and had radiation everyday except weekends and chemo (cisplatin) once a week. He was told the same thing - that he can't take anything because it interferes. We talked to the docter about mgn-3, but he was not open to that. He did not explain why it interferes. I was disappointed too. I've been reading up on natural stuff, just learning, but the doctor is not open to any health stuff so I am just kinda bothered by it. Thank you, maybe I will hear from you and how things turned out.

Kathy

My husband has Stage 4 esophageal cancer that when diagnosed last July 5, had already spread to the lymph nodes. We immediately started a program of high doses of Vitamin C, Beta-carotene, Vitamin E, Selenium and Grapeseed. Of course, the oncologist didn't believe in any of this but we had several friends that were cured just from diet change and supplements. So, we continued the antioxidants during 6 sessions of chemo. The result - the tumor did not shrink at all but it also did not grow in 10 months. The oncologist is amazed - we never admitted to him that we were doing things on the side. He told my husband he only had 6 months to live last July. Read the books "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" by Patrick Quillin and "A Cancer Battle Plan" by Anne Frahm. Both tell which antioxidants can be used with chemo and have been life-savers for us.

We are now seeing a biochemist who has Jim taking IP6 (like chemo but all natural) and Lysozyme Forte. I have researched IP6 and it says it can be taken to enhance chemo. I know if Jim ends up back on chemo, we will continue the supplements.

Another suggestion - try to turn vegetarian (or get hormone-free meat) and get as many organic veggies as possible or wash your veggies in vinegar water to get rid of some of the pesticides.

Good luck and God Bless!

Judy T.

I have had surgery and received treatment for stage 3 ovarian for 3+ years. My oncologist told me the same thing, not to take mega doses of vitamins as they might interfere with treatment. No clear explanation. Since I have researched and uncovered enough to suggest otherwise I attempted to find an oncologist more open to alternative/complementary treatments. They don't exist in my area. The only answer I can find is they are not licensed to practice other methods of treatment and strictly follow AMA guidelines. I also take Essiac. All the Dr. had to say was if you think it helps then take it. I'm looking for answers too. Good luck.

Dear Marilyn,
Thanks for replying to my message. For the first two weeks after the oncologist warned me about taking large doses of antioxidants I did not take them. I found the first chemo treatment to be horrible. After the first two weeks as I began to eat again, I decided to take the vitamins and so on...the next chemo treatment was easier on me! I have the third one tomorrow...so I'm hoping that it wasn't just luck the second time! Best of luck with your learning too!
God Bless,
Moira

Dear Marilyn,
Thanks for replying to my message. For the first two weeks after the oncologist warned me about taking large doses of antioxidants I did not take them. I found the first chemo treatment to be horrible. After the first two weeks as I began to eat again, I decided to take the vitamins and so on...the next chemo treatment was easier on me! I have the third one tomorrow...so I'm hoping that it wasn't just luck the second time! Best of luck with your learning too!
God Bless,
Moira

Friend of mine visited the oncologist, and since taking the following, she had it a lot easier with her 2nd and 3rd chemo. Maitake mushroom with D-fraction, IP6, Flor-Essence tea(original form of Essiac), a probiotic, a B-complex vitamin and a stool softener. Systemic enzymes (Mega-Zyme) because her nutritionist said that the liver's function, and particularly digestion, affects so many areas of a person's health. Rgds, Joanna

Dear Moira,
Every cancer patient I talk with is curious about the efficacy or danger of taking antioxidants during cancer treatment, so I thought I'd send out a written response with the hope that many people can benefit from your question!

The latest research informs us that up to 80% of all cancer patients take dietary supplements, either on their own initiative or on the advice of a health care provider. The controversial question is: Should cancer patients take dietary supplements during treatment?

There are some studies that hypothesize if you take antioxidants during treatment you may decrease the effectiveness of the treatment. However, the majority of animal and test tube studies show that supplementation during treatment may help recovery, well being, immune stimulation, and reduce side effects. A small human study, for example, found women taking 400 mg of CoQ10 during Adriamycin treatment had 20% less heart damage than women only taking Adriamycin. Other supplements like vitamin C,E and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) have been effective in protecting healthy cells from radiation. Other studies suggest that antioxidants are NOT counterproductive to standard cancer treatments!

Some dietary supplements are based on hype and clever marketing strategy. Without education about these supplements, you could be wasting your money, time and effort and possibly hinder your recovery. Essiac tea, for example, is touted as a tea that kills cancer cells. No research to show it, only anecdotal evidence. I will say that in some situations, I do recommend it for some patients, usually those who are getting radiated to the chest or pelvic area. The herbs within Essiac have mucilaginous properties and may help coat and soothe the GI tract.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, we believe that nutritional therapy, including the use of dietary supplements, is one of the most powerful tools you have to help you recover from cancer. Ultimately, you will have to decide about whether or not you should use dietary supplements. I would urge you to have a conversation with your physician about this. The more your doctor knows about your cancer-fighting regimen, the better he or she will be able to help you. If you intend on taking the supplements, I would suggest you seek professional guidance. My book, Challenge Cancer and Win! can also provide you with specific information about dietary supplements for certain cancers and contains scientific research studies to back up supplement recommendations.

Best of luck,

Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD
Director, Holistic Nutrition Services
Author, Challenge Cancer and Win!
www.challengecancer.com

HI Kathi,
I hope your husband is doing OK. I have only one more chemo treatment to go. The first week is difficult but then I begin to feel better. I have been taking supplements as soon as the first week is over as initially after the chemo everything bothers my gut and many of the supplements seem to cause an increase in gas and burning for me. I find Miso soup helps and kefir...a kind of yogurt...it is very soothing. This coming week I am going to see Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD and naturopath) and am hoping he can give me some good advice about detoxifying and so on. I will let you know what happens. I find some of the advice a bit confusing.

How are you getting along?

God Bless yourself and your husband,
Moira

I am glad to hear a positive response to supplements during treatment. I am about to start very intense treatment for stage 3 breast cancer with all nodes involved. I have been using a supplement called Juice Plus. It can be researched on internet --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, url removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----

Many oncologist recommend them so my Dr. did not tell me I could not take them only that she needed to know what I was taking. Natural alternatives are very slowly finding their way here to Delaware. Mostly conventional treatment is all you can get and the treatment of Body Soul and Spirit is at best, your own choice. Its a battle just to get one Dr. to communicate pofessionally with another about your information. It amazes me the amount of misstakes and frustration you have to go through during you cancer journey. Some of it could be completley ommitted if they used treatment like Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I only with my insurance would have allowed me to go to them.

There is plenty of alternative material in the Book market place but try to find a Dr on the east coast that will do anything but conventional treatment. Its all about the drug industry and kickbacks to Dr.s. It only changes when Doctors become cancer patients themselves and have to see what a patient goes through.

when your the victem then looking for a cure is a whole other story.

I am glad there are some medical places concerned about the patients whole being and not just a dollar sign or approval of an insuance industry.