Myths and facts about the gut

Myth 6: You can “starve” the tumor

It is true that cancer cells are very adept at supplying themselves with nutrients. This is why a fasting cure primarily causes the body to lose muscle mass and lose its reserves. The result is rapid weight loss. The tumor, on the other hand, is not affected by the fasting cure, it gets what it needs and continues to grow.

What you can do yourself

Fasting is harmful during cancer therapy. For those who are losing a lot of weight, nutritional therapists even expressly advise them to eat foods during therapy that are normally a matter of restraint: cream, butter, sweet drinks and other high-calorie foods can provide important energy during such phases and prevent rapid weight loss combined with a sharp reduction in muscle mass (cachexia).

Myth 7: If you have bowel cancer, you should avoid sugar, meat, milk and/or other foods or follow a certain diet.

A wide variety of diets are propagated against cancer: Raw food, only cooked food, lots of meat or only a vegetarian diet … – the list of such supposed cancer diets is long and full of contradictions.

The truth is that no so-called “cancer diet” has yet been proven to have a positive effect on the course of the disease – but there are always people who are harmed by it. An unbalanced diet can lead to deficiency symptoms, muscle and weight loss. All this weakens the person affected in addition to the disease.

Milk contains a factor that could potentially increase the risk of bowel cancer. So far, however, this is only a hypothesis. However, if confirmed, this risk could hardly be eliminated. Because then you would not be allowed to consume any cow’s milk (products) from an early age.

High meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer. But that only concerns the development. It makes sense to ensure a good protein intake (for example from meat, fish, dairy products, pulses or other foods). This is because protein can prevent muscle breakdown. The damage caused by muscle loss outweighs the small hypothetical risk of meat consumption.

What you can do yourself

If you have any nutritional questions, consult a recognized nutritionist. Do not restrict your diet unnecessarily.

Myth 8: Methadone or alternative means and methods help against cancer.

The truth is that if there really were a miracle cure for cancer, word would have gotten around long ago. It is indeed possible that certain substances are effective against cancer cells in laboratory tests. Unfortunately, it cannot be concluded from this that they also help sick people. Drawing conclusions from an individual case can also easily be misleading. In order to determine the effects and side effects of a substance, good studies are needed that are reviewed by independent scientists. As long as they are not available, users are exposing themselves to risk without any proven benefit. So far there is no “alternative” method that can cure cancer.

What you can do yourself

Be well informed. Recommended German-language websites are, for example:

• https://www.krebsliga.ch/fachpersonen/komplementaermedizin/zusammenfassungen-auf-deutsch/
  
• https://www.kokoninfo.de
• krebsinformationsdienst.de
• onkopedia.com
• https://www.stiftung-perspektiven.de/Wissensportal/Informationen-zur-Naturheilkunde-bei-Krebs/

English-language websites that offer a good overview are

• http://cam-cancer.org
• mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs

Myth 9: Chemotherapy causes hair to fall out.

It is true that there are chemotherapies that cause hair to fall out temporarily. This is not usually the case with colorectal cancer because different types of chemotherapy are used than for breast cancer, for example. However, it is possible that more hair may fall out during and shortly after the therapy than usual. They grow back again.

What you can do yourself

It is best to discuss your fears with the doctor treating you. Even if hair loss does occur, there are ways to slow it down and conceal it. And secondly, the hair grows back, but sometimes it is a little thinner or grayer than before. If chemotherapy is planned, which will result in hair loss, it is advisable to see a specialist wigmaker before starting chemotherapy. The oncologist knows the relevant addresses. You can find out what proportion of the costs is covered by your health insurance from the Cancer League.

Myth 10: Chemotherapy changes the brain. Many of those affected then suffer from “chemo brain”.

It is true that many people with cancer feel at some point during or after treatment that their thinking, learning abilities or memory are worse than before. However, this is not necessarily the fault of the chemotherapy. Sleep disorders, anemia, pain, feelings of stress, anxiety, hormonal changes and other factors can also impair thinking. So far, studies have shown no clear connection with cancer therapy. The term “chemo brain” is therefore incorrect. There is even evidence that people who have survived cancer are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s dementia.

Exceptions are cancer treatments that directly target the brain, for example when a tumor or metastases in the brain are irradiated. In some cases, this can have a detrimental effect on mental abilities.

What you can do yourself

It is important to address the problem with your doctor. An examination and laboratory tests can rule out possible causes such as anemia, which are treatable. If the suspicion of mental impairment is confirmed, a thorough neuropsychological examination is advisable.

If no specific, treatable cause is found, good information on how to deal with the problem can already help. Physical activity, behavioral therapy, “brain training”, mindfulness training and other strategies are also used. The combination of “brain training”, dexterity and balance exercises improves brain performance. In some cases, medication can also help.

Myth 11: It makes sense to administer chemotherapy according to the phases of the moon or circadian rhythms.

The truth is: In the 1990s, the first studies showed that the body does not react the same way to chemotherapy at all times of the day. However, the influence of the moon has not yet been proven.

What you can do yourself

It makes sense to pay attention to your own biorhythm. If the internal clock is constantly “adjusted” – for example through chronic sleep deprivation, shift work, late-night meals or a lot of stress – the body can become more susceptible to illness. A bad night’s sleep doesn’t do any harm, but many sleepless nights can affect the health of some people. Many medications work better or are better tolerated if their intake is adapted to the personal circadian rhythm. Anyone wishing to take additional measures alongside cancer treatment should discuss this with the doctor treating them.

Myth 12: You can do without chemotherapy.

The truth is that if bowel cancer is detected at an early stage, surgery is often sufficient. Chemotherapy then brings no additional benefit. However, chemotherapy improves the prognosis if there is an increased risk of relapse or if the disease is at an advanced stage. It is partly thanks to chemotherapy that the survival rate for treated colorectal cancer has increased significantly since around 1990.

What you can do

Regular screening examinations increase the chance of colorectal cancer being detected at an early stage. It is important to obtain information about bowel cancer from specialists and sources that are scientifically up to date. If in doubt, you should ask and / or get a second opinion from an expert specialist.

Myth 13: Anyone who is operated on for bowel cancer will always have a stoma (artificial bowel outlet).

It is true that a stoma saves the lives of some people with bowel cancer. You can live with it as before without getting into embarrassing situations: sauna, showers, indoor swimming pool, sport, sexuality – everything is possible as before. The stoma is not visible under clothing and the materials used to make the stoma are now so good that they are leak-proof and do not give off an unpleasant odor.

However, the vast majority of patients do not need a stoma, or only need one for a short time, which is reversed (repositioned) in a second operation.

What you can do

Inform yourself, express your fears and ask questions if you are unsure. A clarifying discussion with a specialist, for example a stoma therapist or surgeon, can allay many (unnecessary) fears. A short film on the website of the Swiss Cancer League gives an insight into the life of a man who has a stoma. Brochures with further information can also be downloaded from the website: www.krebsliga.ch/ueber-krebs/nebenwirkungen/leben-mit-einem-stoma/

Myth 15: Cancer is the result of doing something wrong, for example not looking after yourself well enough, not “digesting” a conflict or eating poorly.

The truth is that cancer can have many causes. However, neither too little exercise nor smoking or other factors necessarily lead to cancer. Although some factors can increase the risk of cancer, several factors almost always have to come together for a tumor to develop. The feeling of being to blame for the disease, reproaches or the feeling of having failed can be very stressful for people affected by cancer. Illnesses are always fated. Chance plays a major role here. However, the search for causes and correlations is deeply human. However, cultural or religious beliefs based on guilt and blame can have an unfavorable and damaging effect on problem solving.

What you can do

Feelings of guilt and distress should be shared with someone you trust. Talking about them relieves the inner pressure they cause. Misunderstandings can also be clarified in this way.