Dr David Servan-Schreiber

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pip57
pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

I have just watched a PBS program with Dr Servan-Schreiber.  I have already adapted my diet around much of what he suggests.  I have never heard of him before so I am wondering what impact he has had on others here. He made some interesting connections, with data, that support a lot of my beliefs concerning my own health care.

I am interested in any input about his approach and critiques of his Anti Cancer book. I encourage a discussion from all sides.  But, please, let's not make this an argument about right and wrong. 

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited January 2011

    PIP, I bought his book about a year ago and it has some very helpful and enlightening info.  He collaborated (and still does, long-distance) with Dr. Richard Belliveau at McGill whose focus is on cancer prevention via foods.  Belliveau has done a lot of interesting and beneficial studies, and I first heard about him in Schwartz's book "An Apple a Day".

    I didn't find anything in Servan-Schreiber's books that didn't reflect solid scientific knowledge, along with good old common sense!

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited January 2011

    So you would recommend his book?  I am going to check out the other ones you mentioned too.  

    Thanks for the input.  I am always suspicious of people pushing their products on these types of programs.  However, he sounded sincere, did not make any big claims about his approach and had data to back up his theory. 

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited January 2011

    hey PIP, I'd recommend Anti-Cancer.  I've probably bought 5 or 6 copies and given them away to people I care about.  It's what got me eating better and exercising every day.  I'm not diabetic but my brother is and I cut waaaay back on refined sugar and that's been good for me. 

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  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited January 2011

    I enjoyed his book enormously. I checked it out at the library, and intend to purchase a copy so I can have it as a reference book at my house. The basic tenets of his diet plan are just so logical. I started working with a nutritionist 6 months before I picked up Dr. Schreiber's book, and the changes he suggested (mainly removing sugar, not using oils such as vegetable oils, and adding more vegetables) have worked wonders for how I feel. The biggest one for me was sugar and gluten. I found out that I had a gluten sensitivity through my nutritionist, and I feel 250% better with no gluten in my life.

    My opinion is that Dr. Schreiber hits on some good basics of healthy living that would help anyone--not just the cancer patients out there.

    Thanks for posting about this. Good topic.

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited January 2011

    PIP, I think it's a really decent book. Lots of good ideas, though I don't subscribe to all of them. It's really worth taking a look at if you're interested in the diet aspect.

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  • changes
    changes Member Posts: 622
    edited January 2011

    The book is great - research based and practical. I have made major modifications to my diet since being diagnosed. It's the one thing we have some control over.

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited January 2011

    I have his book, I recommend it.   I have my doubts about food fighting cancer since I know people who have horrid diets who never get cancer, and I ate pretty healthy before BC, but it certainly won't hurt to follow it.   It was a great book.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2011

    I just finished his book--it's the updated 2nd edition, and I found his reasoning valid and he had lots of great studies to back him up. I'd been "burned" by a PBS fundraising "infomercial" in the past, but I'd read about him in a Pitt Alumni magazine and he seemed so reasonable.

    And as a physician who was told there was nothing he could do to prevent a third recurrence, his desire to figure out what he could do, made a lot of sense to me. (Just drank a cup of green tea...)

    He has a web site with his basic tenets on it.

    http://www.anticancerbook.com/

    Kira

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  • DesignerMom
    DesignerMom Member Posts: 1,464
    edited January 2011

    I loved his book.  It was very readable, based on solid scientific evidence, not heavy handed or fanatic.  You can do as little or as much of his recommendations as you wish to make improvements in your health.  I also bought "Foods to Fight Cancer" by Beliveau.  Dr. Servan-Shreiber uses lots of the research from this scientist.  I actually gave a small talk on preventative health to my homeschool coop moms (none of whom have cancer).  They were eager to implement some of these recommendations into their and their kids' lives.  These are simple things that may really help us prevent cancer:  low glycemic, anti inflammatory diet, balancing Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats, never microwave in plastic, drinking 2 cups of green tea a day, brocolli 3 times a week, lot's of turmeric in cooking.  If you could only pick one book to read, this would be my choice.

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  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited January 2011

    I'd agree with all so far. When I first went to my new gp just after rads, she did a couple interesting things about health and prevention. And one of them was introduce me to Dr. Beliveau's books, which she uses herself. she also tried hard (and I did) go to a personal trainer to start exercising. and she checked my blood - glucose? insulin? something level - and as it came out normal, she told me that indicates a good prognosis (sorry I've now forgotten this, it has to do with sugar - I was impressed and surprised with her proactive approach)

    so by the time I found out about Dr Servan-Schreiber here was delighted to start reading him & find out I'd already started on a healthy track. And, it all made me feel I might have some influence over the course of events -  I was DOING something: a positive feeling, all good.

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  • mks16
    mks16 Member Posts: 415
    edited January 2011

    Loved his book. I bought it two years ago for my mom while she was battling pancreatic cancer. Both her and my father read it, and it gave them both strength and hope to hang on.

    Its a great no nonsense book for everyone. I wish we read the book many years ago, many things might have been prevented...

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited January 2011

    I've just skimmed this thead, but don't think anyone has shared this link yet:

    http://www.anticancerbook.com/fund.html

    "Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, two-time brain cancer survivor, distinguished scientist and best-selling author (Anticancer), has teamed up with the world renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center, to initiate a ground-breaking project aimed at enhancing and bolstering cancer care.

    The project's goal is to utilize integrative medicine and oncology approaches to improve standard cancer care worldwide."        Deanna

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited January 2011

    Wow!  He certainly seems to have impressed a lot of people here.  I often feel like a lot of people on tv telling me what to do for my own health are really just looking out for their own wealth.  But there was something about Dr Schreiber that seemed genuine.  And his work was supported by data and common sense. 

    Thank you for all the critiques.  I will definitely be getting his book. 

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited January 2011

    I liked that it was very "doable".   You don't have to have a lot of money or time to follow it and you don't need to go to specialty stores, etc.   It's very easy to follow.    I just wish there were more dessert choices!  

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  • InTwoPlaces
    InTwoPlaces Member Posts: 354
    edited January 2011

    I loved this book and I'm following a lot of his advice.

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  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited January 2011

    I also think it is a wonderful book and totally makes sense to me!  I have a dear friend who is a 13 year bc survivor who did it totally holistically, and she shared many books of this type with me. One can say what they want to negate these theories, but 13 years cancer free speaks to my heart.  And... with no bad drugs w/ s/e's !!!

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  • baywatcher
    baywatcher Member Posts: 532
    edited January 2011

    I read the book and I am also following his advise.

    I have only skimmed this thread but if no one has suggested that you read The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell, I will recommend it to you. Another good book is Food for Life by Dr. Neal Barnard.

    It makes sense to me. 

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  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited February 2011

    There are many women who have survived decades on all varieties of diet, good and awful.  I find Dr S inspiring because he had a type of cancer that is rarely survived.  Anyone who survives NED more than 5 years with a terminal disease is inspiring to me.  I tell myself, if they can do it, so can I.

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  • vivre
    vivre Member Posts: 2,167
    edited February 2011

    Anti Cancer is always in my top three recommended books for people who ask me what I recommend. I believe that doctors who get cancer, and are willing to go the alternative route, and then write about are very brave for daring to speak out. What I really love about his book is how much he talks about how important it is heal emotionally as well as physically. And I find it so ironic that he had brain cancer and he was a physchologist. God sure does work in mysterious ways. I believe Dr. S was destined to write such a fantastic book.

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  • luv_gardening
    luv_gardening Member Posts: 1,393
    edited February 2011

    Yes I agree Vivre, the emotional side is very important but a difficult area to address as people so easily start to think they are being blamed.  I want to start a thread about the emotional and psychological side of healing but need to get a lot more information and a very non-judgemental way of wording it.

    Looking after our emotional health is good for us regardless of whether we think it can help our physical health.

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited February 2011

    Thanks for all the input.  I have been reading some of the info on his website and just ordered the book on amazon.  

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited February 2011
    I am reading the book right now.It came highly recomended by lots of the sistas on these threads.AND YES I LOVE IT.
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  • Marie-Edith
    Marie-Edith Member Posts: 218
    edited February 2011

    Hi

    I am also reading the book, it's easy to understand and very interesting. I beleive in the power of nature, whichever way it goes. I think it is very helpful alongside conventional treatment. I am slowly changing my life and diet :)

    ME

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited February 2011

    I am loving it too!  Almost done.

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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited February 2011

    I sure hope you love it, Prettyinpink: "Anti-Cancer" is the basics for anybody whose life has been turned around by cancer.

    And Dr. Servan-Schreiber, whom I have personally met, is living proof of what he is talking about... 

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited February 2011

    Is he as cute and unassuming in person?  He would be a very interesting person to meet.

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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited February 2011
    Indeed, prettyinpink: he is VERY cute Wink and unassuming, too (immediately accepted to take a picture with me after his presentation).
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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited February 2011

    You lucky 'tweety bird'!

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  • msippiqueen
    msippiqueen Member Posts: 191
    edited February 2011

    Great book. Easy to pick up and put down and reference. No agenda but better health.

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  • igeorges
    igeorges Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2011

    I'm still reading this book as it was given to me as a gift and I love it. Alot of great information about healthy foods that are anti cancer.  I love the way he focuses on emotional health as much as physical health too. God bless Dr. David Servan-Schreiber!

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