Hi strictly CR. 

If these alternative treatments worked, try would be used in hospitals all around the world, not just advertised on the Internet, 

That's my opinion anyway. 

These people are just making money out of giving people hope i often wonder what they would do if they got cancer would they try their own treatment or would they go to hospital. 

Please be careful about your mums treatment what ever you decide. 

Billy

Good morning Billy,

You make a valid point...would they administer their own treatment if it came to the crunch.

Of course we are very careful and cautious about my mum's care, which is why we've taken all of the NHS advice available and from Macmillan nurses.

But you can see the attraction of well marketed alt therapies that have strong testimonials especially from people within friends' social circles.

Maybe there needs to be stricter policing of these sites as in people's 'hour of need' they are searching for that light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for your reply.

Hello there and welcome to Cancer Chat. At Cancer Research UK we are often asked about alternative therapies. The reason you won't find these 'treatments' licensed or prescribed by your doctor is becuase they are simply as yet unproven. All conventional treatments have to go through  rigerous lab research and clinical trials Alternative therapies mainly rely on anecdotes and there is no proof that these therapies actually work. Sadly a lot of unscrupulous people are keen to take money from people who are vulnerable and desperate to find some kind of miracle cure.

We have some very interesting information on our Science Blog in respect of Miracle Cures and  there are other links to articles you may find useful from that page. We also have some information on specific therapies on our website

You mentioned the ketogenic diet and I just wanted to make you aware of what our cancer nurses have said about this in a previous discussion:

"We would always recommend that people try to have a balanced diet throughout and after cancer treatment when possible. There is no scientific evidence that a high protein low carbohydrate diet has any effect on cancer. If you are thinking of making any changes to your diet always check it out with your doctor first."

Do make sure you discuss any dietary changes with your mum's medical team as they will be able to give you more information and let you know what impact, if any, it would have on your mum's health. Likewise it may seem harmless to try these alternative therapies but they may be harmful or could interact with other treatments.

If you would like to chat to our cancer nurses about this their freephone number is 0808 800 4040 and their lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

I hope that helps. 

With best wishes,

Moderator Sarah

Hi,

I'm afraid I'm not a believer in alternative therapies & I agree with Billy.

In all the years I've been a cancer patient and helped to run a support group, I have come across every type of 'alternative' treatment advertised. Some are very extreme & shouldn't be touched with a barge pole. Those that are diet based should be well researched before considering to try them & you should always check with your mum's consultant before trying anything.

Personally, in my experience & watching friends who have tried them, I think diet based treatments have no efficacy as a cancer treatment. A normal healthy diet (plenty of fruit, veg, water etc) helps the body stay strong to help deal with any illness but no amount of different food types can stop cancer spreading or cure it I'm afraid. 

These alternative treatments sell false hope to vulnerable people and, as you say, there should be stricter policing of their sites. 

My best wishes to you & your mum,

Angie

Hi Strictly CR

Personally, I have no positive experiences of people using alternative therapies to deal with cancer, although I have seen several try in various cancer groups I’m in.  

A good diet diet can help keep your body as fit as possible to cope with treatment but you cannot make your body alkaline and omitting sugar will not help with the disease-all cells good and bad feed off sugar. 

I understand the desperation to try anything, but I have seen people be scammed out of money for “alternative” cures, inject themselves with all sorts of stuff bought off the internet, and swallow tablets, and watched them pass away. There are so many charlatans out there preying on the vulnerable and no proper research or trials with proven results. Anyone can say anything on the internet-it doesn’t mean to say it’s true. There will be a book to be sold, or money to be made. Vegans get cancer, so a vegan diet will not cure, and it sounds quite frankly dangerous to remove dairy from someone who relies on it. 

Whatever you decide, please tell the medical team involved in your mum’s  care if you decide to try any of these things. They can be dangerous. I’m so sorry to read of her diagnosis, and I understand how difficult it is, but alternative treatments in my experience of watching others try, are not the answer.

Thanks for everyone's views.

This post / thread was also aimed at trying to help people in our position and they hopefully find it useful.

Don't worry I would never jeopardise my mum's care and we always listen to the professionals I just wanted  to voice our situation.

If a treatment was suggested it would have to come from mum's health care team and they initially suggested palliative chemotherapy but she decided against that option and opted for the palliative care.

I hope other people benefit from this post. This diagnosis and situation came out of the blue for our family over the past two-three months, and my heart and thoughts go out to others in the same boat!

Please always listen to the advice available as in these darks times a glimmer of hope is always what you desire.