NUTRITION AND CANCER BY JIM GORDON, MD

Note: This post is from 2012.

Dr. Gordon is the founder and director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC and sponsors several annual symposia that address the issue of Food and Medicine programs.  His training sessions include hundreds of doctors from around the country.  Dr. Gordon is a pioneer in the use of nutrition to impact cancer.  When asked if what he teaches makes a difference, he replied, "People with cancer are told by their oncologists, 'This is the treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, maybe even immune therapy.  Everything else is regarded as, at worst, unnecessary, peripheral, or, at best, complementary....'.  I think that is a major misconception.  The data in standard textbooks on nutrition and cancer is that cancer is related in some way to nutrition.  It stands to reason that if nutrition is a significant factor in the development of cancer, you would want there to be a focus on nutrition as part of the treatment and the prevention of recurrence in cancer."

If you or someone you love receives a diagnosis of cancer, I believe it is important to discuss nutrition and your diet with your medical team.  If they are dismissive, do research on your own or seek out other doctors or nutritionists to help you.

There are many posts on this blog regarding foods and cancer.

I am not saying nutrition will cure cancer, only that it could be helpful to those diagnosed.

 A healthy diet always includes lots of fruits and vegetables.