| | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | We've discussed this here before, but I thought I would put up a link to some current thinking from a very unbiased source, Scientist magazine. http://the-scientist.com/2012/03/01/vitamin-d-on-trial/
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: May 2012 Posts: 25 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 25 | nI actually almost participated in a clinical trial prior to my surgery - I would have had to take high doses of Vitamin D. The study was to determine the what high doses of Vitamin D do to cellular structure, among other things.
I am a big believer in the power of vitamins and nutrients in healing. Currently I have upped my intake of vitamins, and nutrients, especially those with a demonstrated effect on cancer and oral health (such as those containing vitamins A, B, C, D and K).
The way I see it, definitely cannot hurt...
Carpe Diem!!
38, non-smoker, otherwise perfect health. Biopsy: 3/8/2012, SCC Dx Right Underside Tongue: 3/12/2012, Surgery: 4/11/2012 Partial Gloss + Neck Dissection to remove 29 nodes (all clear). No Rads or Chemo req'd. I believe my SCC was caused by product used in dental work.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Make sure that you discuss EVERY supplement that you take with your doctors. Somethings that you may believe to be beneficial, will actually interfere with the treatments.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Very Interesting article. Thank you Brian
Both my cardiologist and my endocrinologist are emphatic that I need to take 4000 IU of Vitamin D daily after they reviewed my first blood tests after cancer TX that my radiologist had recommended. It's great that there is a routine blood test that can accurately determine whether or not your diet or pills is giving you enough Vitamin D.
Many of us radiation survivors are extremely sensitive to sun damage on our skins so we can't rely on sunshine and being outdoors as that study mentioned since a really effective sunscreen also blocks the Vitamin D absorbtion effect.
None of my doctors saw any downsides nor had seen adverse effects of Vitamin D supplementation in their patients.
Charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Since Kris's recent total glossectomy/laryngectomy he has to take Vitamin D in the form of Calcitriol 2mcg per day
Post surgery he had severe calcium deficicency leading to tetany spasms and required 5 days of IV calcium replacement.
His Parathyroid gland is no longer functioning, so no hormone to stimulate release of calcium from bones. He has been on both calcitriol and calcium supplements. However at this weeks appointment with endocrinology the calcium has been stopped. He should be getting adequate calcium from the Fortisip, but will always have to take the calcitriol.
Interestingly, his Thyroid gland has also stopped functioning so is also now taking thyroid supplements. This was also discovered during his recent surgical admission.
The Drs attributed the thyroid dysfunction to the previous radiotherapy - completed 12 months prior. But not the Parathyroid. This they have put down to damage during Kris's extensive bilateral neck dissection performed during the recent surgery.
Life keeps getting more complicated. But we manage.
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | I'm going to mimic Brian, I believe in the power of diet in reference to health, and healing and fighting disease, that said, during treatment I stopped ALL supplements including regular vitamins, certain things are counterproductive to radiation, and I waited 4 mos to start taking vitamins again. Right now I take circumen, vitamin d, green tea, and a daily vitamin. 
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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