Hi Dinah, I got a book right after my sugery called "Beating Cancer With Nutrition" besides being a great book on what's good for you (to eat) the author (who is a nutrition specialist not MD) was convinced that sugar is bad if you are a fighting cancer. His opinion is based on his observation of hundreds of cancer cases and his STRONG suggestion was that a person fighting cancer should keep their blood sugar as low as possible (within the normal range of course). Apparently diabetics experence a higher rate of cancer as well.

When I asked several doctors about this their comments tended to be on the order of: as far as diet goes the book is great but they drew the line short of the sugar thing. However, no one has argued that cutting back on sugar is a bad thing either. To me personally, very few Doctors have a great depth of understanding about nutrition. So I have for 2 years cut out any added sugar. No soda, no candy, none. I do allow myself some chocolate every once and a while (you'd be suprised how little sugar is in chocolate.

Back to the book, I thought it was great to do something myself about a cure and nutrition is something we can take care of ourselves! no doc no pain. The book was worth reading, it also covers a lot about various nutrients that are in short supply when you go through sugery and chemo and such. To top it off it had an audio CD that you could listen to even if you didn't feel good enough to read.

I hope that helps


Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.