Thursday 29 February 2024

My story featured on Penny Brohn website

Well actually the post on their website is only a very small part of the story but happy to share especially as it will be used in March to promote awareness around prostate cancer. See it at: https://pennybrohn.org.uk/2024/02/26/philips-story/ 



Thursday 8 February 2024

Call to Improve Access to Oncology Medicines

As one of 90 patient advocates with Inspire2Live from around the World I am joining in this call to improve access. Do join in with publicising this on social media.

Monday 5 February 2024

Best Nutrition on Recipe books

I originally wrote this blog for Yes to Life in July 2021 - and have copied it here with some minor updates as several folk have asked and it is not easy to find on the Yes to Life site at the moment. I'm guessing folks could probably add some more books to this list now?

Following on from Best Books for those newly diagnosed with cancer we have now asked our Wigwam members and Yes to Life team which books they would recommended for good nutrition and great recipes. In the first section we have books with cancer-related or focused information and in the second section general cook books that Wigwammers have found useful. Nutrition and cancer is such a huge area and has much conflicting information. Keto diets are certainly one of those areas with varying versions and those for and against them for certain cancers or people. There are also dozens of approaches to nutrition that are not covered fully by this list of recommendations like the macrobiotic approach, Gerson, the Bristol Approach, Paleo, Alkaline, vegan and more. 

In this blog we cover the recommendations we received. Earlier this year we had a two-day Nutritional Science and cancer conference with a fantastic range of speakers; you can read a blog on that here and you can now get access to the videos plus presentation notes for £10 at: https://www.lifelineshealth.store/product-page/nutritional-science-and-cancer-congress-book

We hope you can get these books from your local bookshop – but if not we do like the new online Book Shop with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops. See more at: https://uk.bookshop.org


 1. ”Nutrition Brought to Life” by Kirsten Chick, a nutritional therapist and lecture. See more on her website: https://kirstenchick.com
 

‘Kirsten Chick’s new book is brilliant‘ Sue De Cesare.

‘I’ve so welcomed Kirsten’s approach which looks at how we nourish ourselves in the broadest sense. Her book is now one of my favourites for explaining and understanding nutrition – she has been dubbed the Queen of Analogy – and it certainly helped me a lot to understand what can be very complex issues. Lots of great info for people living with or beyond cancer. Plus some great recipes like her refined sugar-free flapjacks.’ Philip Booth, a Coordinator of Wigwam Cancer Support Groups


 2. “The Ketogenic Kitchen” by Domini Kemp and Patricia Daly
This is a book of two halves with one half looking at the Low-Carb Way, while the second half looks at the Ketogenic way, high in fat but with almost zero carbohydrates. See more at: https://theketogenickitchen.com

‘There is great info in this book and the science to support these approaches’ J.T. Wigwam supporter. ‘For someone doing Keto – The Ketogenic Kitchen is fab – lots of good info and a whole planning of meals and recipes – nicely laid out’ Sue De Cesare, Helpline Volunteer and Yes to Life Trustee


 3. “Keto-tarian. The (Mostly) Plant-Based Plan to Burn Fat, Boost Your Energy, Crush Your Cravings, and Calm Inflammation” by Dr Will Cole
More info at: https://drwillcole.com/ketotarian

‘Not lots on cancer but wise words around Keto approach with a plant-based program that looks to maximise health plus some info on fasting’ J.T. Wigwam supporter


4. “How Not to Die” by Michael Gregor MD
 More info at: https://nutritionfacts.org

‘A general book but with many chapters on ‘How Not To Die’ from certain cancers. Loads of research. There is also a cookbook and a website with lots of videos and info with even more of the latest science around nutrition’. Nicola, Wigwam member


5. “Cancer-Free with Food: A Step-by-Step Plan with 100+ Recipes to Fight Disease, Nourish Your Body & Restore Your Health” by Liana Werner-Gray
More info at: http://www.cancerfreewithfood.com/#/

 ‘Easy recipes but sadly no pictures. Great nutritional principles, top cancer fighting foods and supplements – a great introduction if recently diagnosed.’ Philip Booth, Wigwam coordinator


 6. “Foods to Fight Cancer: Essential Foods to Help Prevent Cancer” by Professor Richard Beliveau and Dr Denis Gingras

‘Foods to Fight Cancer is divided into three parts: Part One defines cancer and introduces the importance of diet; Part Two lists a variety of foods including garlic, green tea and tomatoes, and describes how they fight cancer; and Part Three discusses supplements and also a holistic approach to fighting cancer. The book discusses what foods are helpful to fighting cancer in a scientific but extremely accessible, useful and interesting way.’ Andrea Rayner, Wigwam member


 7. “Rainbow Recipes” by Chris Woollams and Barbara Cox. This is the recipe book that accompanies The Rainbow diet book which looks at how to beat cancer – it is basically a colourful Mediterranean Diet. https://the-rainbow-diet.com/rainbow-diet-books/the-rainbow-diet-book-to-prevent-and-fight-cancer/


 ‘This cookbook helped me shift into a much more healthy way of eating. A Rainbow Diet has lots of research to show it is good at tackling cancer’ J.T. Wigwam supporter.
 

And more recipe books


 8. “One Pot, Pan, Planet” by award-winning cook Anna Jones

More at: http://www.annajones.co.uk


‘The amazing sag aloo shepherd’s pie recipe we all loved’ Karin, Wigwam member

‘I’ve not got this Anna Jones book but have all her others. She lives up to being the voice of modern vegetarian cooking; it is not specifically about cancer but if you want to increase the amount of vegetables you eat then Anna Jones books are for you.’ Philip Booth, a Coordinator of Wigwam Cancer Support Groups

9. “Deliciously Ella. The Plant-Based Cookbook. 100 simple vegan recipes to make every day delicious.” By Ella More at: https://deliciouslyella.com


 ‘Ella had a series of health challenges (not cancer) and turned to a whole foods, plant-based diet, to ‘overhaul her life’. She has 6 cookbooks jam packed with great recipes. I wouldn’t be without her in the kitchen’ Carol, Wigwam supporter


10. “The Plant Power Doctor. A simple prescription for a healthier you (Includes delicious recipes to transform your health)” by Gemma Newman More at: https://gemmanewman.com/book


 ‘This is an accessible and friendly step by step guide to help you on the road to plant based nutrition. Lots of research and illustrations’ Anon, Wigwam member


 11. “Minimalist Bakers. Everyday Cooking.101 entirely vegan, mostly gluten-free recipes, Easy and Delicious Recipes” by Dana Shultz More at: https://minimalistbaker.com/everyday-cooking/


 ‘I follow the Minimalist Bakers. Have done for several years. Max 10 ingredients. Love it. Vegan based goodness and flavoursome imaginative recipes’ Karin, Wigwam member


 12. “The Happy Pear – Vegan Cooking for everyone” by David and Stephen Flynn
More at: https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/books/happy-pear-vegan-cooking-for-everyone
 

‘I wonder if you could include this good book in your list. The pair get back to basics with pancakes, breakfast bowls, soups, burgers and sweet treats into basic principles so that we can learn how to cook from the beginning. There are recipes but this is about ‘building our knowledge and instincts’ to create great meals without recipes’ Carol, Wigwam supporter13. 

Lastly...

Anything by The Doctor Kitchen – Dr Rupy Aujla
Rupy came up a number of times with all of his books getting a mention. https://thedoctorskitchen.com
 

‘’The Doctor’s Kitchen has some really good recipes – also has a lot of free ones on his website’ Sue De Cesare, Helpline Volunteer and Yes to Life Trustee
 

‘Yes it’s got to be Dr Rupy everytime. I’m on his email list, follow him on fb and listen to his podcasts, as well as use his recipe books! I trust his ideas, like his fact and evidence based approach about cancer and promoting eating mainly a plant based diet and how exercise plays an important part in the healing process along with walking in nature etc so he’s a bit of a one stop shop for me really! Eat to Beat Illness – easy to follow, tasty plant based recipes and lots of facts about how certain foods can support different areas of the body plus there’s a really good section about cancer.’ Karin, Wigwam member


Other content on Yes to Life featuring this topic:

ProviderFind Patricia Daly in the Life Directory
Radio ShowKeto & Beyond 3 Jun 2022
Radio ShowThe Ketogenic Diet 30 Oct 2016
Radio ShowThe Cancer Revolution 5 3 Apr 2016






Nutrition and prostate cancer

I had always meant to do a blog on this topic but it is quite daunting so in the past I have skirted around the edges with blogs on coconut oil, mushrooms, gluten, ghee, olive oil and more. A recent podcast by Dr Geo Espinosa is a great introduction for anyone starting out. It is by no means comprehensive and lots I'd love to add but he manages to get loads into the 38 minutes.

One interesting aspect which I have touched on previously in this blog is around the Keto Diet. I have several excellent books on this but have so far remained unconvinced that it is right for prostate cancer - Dr Geo agrees as do a number of other authorities. However it may well be useful for other cancers and certainly cutting back on carbs seems to be a good thing for many of us.

Anyway here is the podcast - see what you think: https://the-dr-geo-podcast.captivate.fm/episode/what-you-need-to-know-about-diet-and-prostate-cancer

The introductory resource I like for cancer in general is the Rainbow Diet - one study shows that, with a healthy diet, stage III cancer patients could reduce risk of cancer returning by 31% and reduce death by 42% across the following seven years.

https://www.canceractive.com/article/The-Rainbow-Diet-Book-to-prevent-and-fight-cancer

I will also repost a blog I wrote for Yes to Life after getting voters from Wigwam Cancer Support Group members on their favourite nutrition books.


Monday 22 January 2024

Number 26 in Best Prostate Cancer blogs

Delighted to see I am at number 26 out of 213 prostate cancer blogs on FeedSpot - ranked by traffic, social media followers and freshness. Check out the others at:https://cancer.feedspot.com/prostate_cancer_blogs/ 

Many seem to be linked to organisations or products and it looks like very few take a focus of integrative health ie getting the best from conventional, lifestyle and complimentary approaches. Furthermore to add more info to climb the chart it looks like I would have to pay a subscription to FeedSpot - but as I noted when I started this blog it was more for me to get my head around diagnosis, options and thoughts rather than something carefully crafted to inform others. Of course it is great if readers find it useful!  

Tuesday 16 January 2024

Cancer Choices conversation with Dr. Keith Block

Dr Keith Block has long been regarded as the father of integrative oncology - he combines cutting-edge conventional treatments with individualised and scientifically-based innovative, complementary and nutraceutical therapies. His book is one of my favorites and listed by Wigwam Cancer Support group member's in their top 10 books for when newly diagnosed with cancer - see here.

This interview by Michael Lerner of Cancer Choices is from October last year - it is well worth a listen - and if you want more of Keith then there is also a Yes to Life interview here.




Monday 8 January 2024

Art and cancer - we want your submissions!

Launching Issue 3 - Stroud Wigwam Support Group
Flourish, the magazine by and for the cancer community, have launched an open call for submissions for the fourth issue of the free print and digital magazine, around the theme of ‘Balance’. The call-out is open to those affected by cancer, either themselves or through loved ones, inviting contributions of art, creative writing, photography, music, film, dance and more. 

Some time ago I was inspired by several magazines from The Hive that used art to tackle cancer subjects like body image and sex. Well with support from a local charity Artlift and the national integrative cancer care charity Yes to Life we launched in June 2022 - see details here. Since then we've had funding from Macmillian, The Lottery and the Arts Council - and support from many including Glos Health nd Care NHS Foundation - so far covered we've had issues on 'Nourish', 'Connections' and 'Movement' - we are now working on 'Balance' - and I'm hoping to get to more taboo topics in the future!

We’ve now got another open call for submissions for the next issue of Flourish. No prior experience is necessary to submit to the magazine but something around balance and cancer. We’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible creativity of our contributors so far, we feature everyone from experienced artists and writers to those who’ve never done anything creative before.  

Our press releases on this have had several quotes including our wonderful Editor-in-Chief Natalie Beech, saying:  “One thing that’s been particularly interesting is how diverse the cancer experience is; we have funny submissions, sad ones, abstract ones – everyone's experience is different and we aim to reflect that in the magazine. If you have experience of cancer - we’d love to hear from you.”  


Another quote comes from Gloucestershire based contributor Sheran Joy, whose poetry is featured in Issue 2. She said: “As someone who has only ever shared my love of rhyming with close friends, it’s great to gain confidence from having my words shared. The thought that they might help others smile in the face of adversity is truly wonderful. Writing helped me to face and express my fears, and to find the relief of humour. I hope this is useful, I really value the opportunity to be part of this amazing publication.”

Flourish Magazine is a free print and digital magazine from integrative cancer care charity Yes to Life and creative health charity Artlift. Each themed edition aims to explore the benefits of an integrative and creative approach to living with cancer and features a range of resources, creative responses, expert information and interviews that offer support and reflect the diversity of the cancer experience. 

The print magazine is free and distributed across Gloucestershire and the Bristol area, available to pick up at locations including many GP surgeries, Oncology departments and charities like Charlie’s and Maggie’s and more. I see that issue 3 has already disappeared from many locations - but no fear the magazine is also available to read for free online. 

Previous magazines available at:
https://yestolife.org.uk/flourish-magazine/

Press and submissions contact: Natalie Beech / flourish.mag@artlift.org 

My story featured on Penny Brohn website

Well actually the post on their website is only a very small part of the story but happy to share especially as it will be used in March to ...