The Anti-Cancer Book

I read this recently and really enjoyed it (if you CAN enjoy a cancer book!). I found it much more thoughtful and less hysterical than some of the diet/cancer books out there.

He is an interesting man and an elegant author - a scientist - which means he supports a lot of his claims with some pretty solid research.

 As the previous poster said it is not specific to breast cancer and in all honesty he is saying nothing particulalry new about a healthy diet and the immune system - but it makes interesting reading none the less.

I've just started this book.  So far i find it very interesting.  I agree with previous posters that the book is well written.  It's an easy and interesting read so far.  It's inspiring to read someone's personal journey... I would recommend it because i look forward to reading it every night.

LittleFlower

The book is excellent!!!

Yup it's a good one

My husband bought the anti cancer book when his dad and my sister were dx with BC in 2008.  It's a great book.  I didn't read it front to back, but found myself going back to certain sections. I would recommend it to anyone.  The focus is on staying healthy. 

I am reading Anticancer and really like it so far.  Couple of things stand out for me:

1. Everyone has cancer cells in their bodies but not everyone gets cancer.  The "terrain" of your body is important in helping stay healthy.  Look at your body the way a gardener looks at soil.  There are weed seeds in the soil but not every one sprouts, takes root, and spreads like a weed.

2. Sugar reduces the effectiveness of chemotherapy.  Two samples of breast cancer tissue were used, one got sugar one got no sugar.  Then chemo was introduced to the mix and it did a better job of killing the less sugary cells.  I am going thru too much with chemo to have its effectiveness reduced so have cut waaay back on sugar and white flour.

I don't have a lot of cancer in my family but we do have a few diabetics.  My brother has read the glycemic index book, changed his eating habits, and improved his diabetes situation.  Like the old saying, it may not help but it couldn't hurt.

I'm a devoted fan of Anti-cancer and Foods to Fight cancer - can't give them high enough praise.  I also can't wait to check out A Dietician's Cancer Story.

Regarding depriving yourself of joy - I see that a lot on BCO in reference to old habits.  My intent isn't to knock those people, but I want to share my experience with it. 

After cancer, I've found new things that bring me joy.  Eating food that I feel is healthy for my body and maybe even cancer-fighting really brings me joy now.  After my huge salad for dinner I feel happy.  I just cooked chickpeas from scratch for the first time instead of using canned (cans have BPA) - and I really felt good about it.  I don't skip working out for months on end anymore, and when I get off the treadmill I'm really satisfied with myself. 

In the beginning I would sometimes feel sad that I can't eat candy or potato chips or pizza or have coke zero or wine anymore.  But at the same time I knew that those things never made me happy.  I wasn't happy when I ate all that junk that kept me fat - I would usually feel regret as soon as I finished a package of candy, or the one-too-many piece of pizza.  I never have that feeling anymore, and I love it!

There is life without junk food, and it's great!  I honestly feel like it was an addiction that didn't make me happy, and now I'm finally free.

(End of self-therapy session )

Loved this book!  The Susan Love Breast Book was very valuable to me while going through the diagnosis and treatment gauntlet and this book has helped me figure out what to do once the dust has settled a bit.  I highlly reccomend it!