Dear Ed and Sandy,
Thank you for writing to me. Nutritional therapy can be one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent and fight cancer--even pancreatic cancer! I can sympathize with you when you mention a number of products geared toward certain cancers; the less prevalent cancers (including pancreatic cancer) seem to be "forgotten" when it comes to guidance in the literature.
I'm glad you have ordered my book, which outlines specifically which dietary supplements and food choices are best for those individuals with pancreatic cancer (as well as others!). I also apologize that it is taking so long for you to receive it; usually, it ships within 24 hours from amazon.com or it takes just a few days if you order from BookMasters.
Now, before thinking of dietary supplements, there is a bigger picture to consider: Is Sandy malnourished? Can she tolerate the foods she consumes? Has she lost a significant amount of weight? Initially addressing these issues are critical to cancer recovery because 40% of cancer patients die from malnutrition related causes. I would suggest several things:
1) Get a malnutrition assessment from a registered dietitian at her treatment hospital.
2) Ask her doctor to prescribe digestive enzymes to help with digestion/absorption of nutrients.
3) If indicated, a generalized dietary supplement program should be started; communicate with her physician prior to beginning any supplement program. Cancer Nutrition Centers of America offers a "starter kit" of dietary supplements including a broad-spectrum multivitamin-mineral, high dose antioxidants and immune stimulants that may help you in the interim. You can review their supplements at www.cancernutritioncenter.com.
I've worked with several individuals with pancreatic cancer who have beat the odds. Hope and healing can be realized. The first step is gaining knowledge and believing there is more than one way to treat cancer!
Best regards,
Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD
Director, Holistic Nutrition Services
Author, Challenge Cancer and Win