Welcome to Cancer Chat Conor.m123,

I'm sorry to hear about your dad and I can appreciate why you are concerned.

You mentioned that your dad might want to try an alternative doctor. The information we have up to this day is that despite research into various types of alternative therapy, there is no scientific or medical evidence to show that alternative therapies can help to treat or cure cancer.

Some alternative therapies may be harmful and cause side effects or interfere with conventional cancer treatments. They may cost a lot of money. If someone is considering an alternative therapy it is very important that they discuss this with their treatment team first. Even if cancer can't be cured with conventional treatments, doctors will still be able to help to control symptoms such as pain and sickness using conventional medicine. So it is important to stay in touch with doctors and discuss treatment possibilities with them. To read more on alternative medicines please click here.

Also, there’s no evidence that following a “sugar-free” diet lowers the risk of getting cancer or boosts the chances of surviving if you are diagnosed. You can read more about the myth that sugar ‘feeds’ cancer cells on our Science Blog here.

I hope you will find this forum informative and supportive.

If you ever have any cancer-related questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of nurses on 0808 800 40 40, they are available Monday - Friday between 9 a.m - 5 p.m.

Best wishes to you and your dad,

Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator