Ketogenic diet keeps cancer at bay?

I have probably mentioned this subject before, there is evidence that ketogenic or low carb diet may help to keep cancer at bay. I don't think anyone is suggesting it is a cure but rates of cancer have increased as a carbohydrate rich diet has become popular. Of course it is one of a multitude of factors including smoking, pollution, ageing etc and so you can not even begin to suggest that its involvement is a fact, it is purely speculation. Right from the start I am going to say that I am a massive advocate of a low-carb, high fat diet and feel that not many people are going to suffer from being on it and that many will suffer from not being on it. (I mean suffer in general not cancer).

Today I came across the following link

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/03/05/468285545/fighting-cancer-by-putting-tumor-cells-on-a-diet

I found this really interesting. Having previously worked in cancer research I do not agree with the mutations are not required as there is such a strong link between DNA damage, mutations and cancer. Nevertheless I do find the metabolic aspect of the report very interesting. The article states "the potential of dietary approaches to contain the disease."

Diet is being used to complement traditional approaches and this is a good idea. As I said the idea is that in order to sustain themselves the cancer cells need glucose, they need sugar otherwise they cannot sustain themselves. The thing with cancer cells is that they are growing out of control, they can't very easily (I am not qualified to say they can't at all) stop themselves from trying to replicate so they run out of energy and boom they struggle more than a normal cell would which can switch to using fat as its primary energy source and be happy. 

As is also stated in the article the problem is money. There is money in creating a drug that battles cancer there is no money in creating a diet, even if it is good for the patients. I think the same thing applies to diets in general as there is money in getting people hooked on sugar and there are so many companies that rely on this that a shift to a low carb diet by the masses would ruin them. Hence the reason there are many (failed? as there are not many publications) studies on high carb diets and not so many on high fat diets. 

Anyway I noticed after I started low carb that many things changed and one of these was the slight pain that still came from my foot. You could argue that it was the weight loss by the pain stopped well before I had lost significant amounts of weight, I strongly believe that Ledderhose is another of the many small (it is only a small issue for me since RT) medical issues that going low-carb has helped heal. 

There are actually pilot studies that show that patients have improved their situation using a low-carb diet: 

http://authoritynutrition.com/ketogenic-diets-and-cancer/ - Good review

I think there is room to see whether Dupuytren's and Ledderhose patients could see improvements under this way of eating. After all the conditions

• Involved tumours
• Are often progressive and painful so can be tracked by the patient
• Are not life threatening - so giving a diet a go is not going to hurt? 
• There is no cure - Currently there is no cure, there is no way to really stop the condition so giving this a try. 

I am not saying that patients should give it a try but I am saying based on the evidence it could be worth a go and perhaps they should track it so we can see the improvement. For me it was an unexpected side effect of trying to lose weight. 

Of course you should see your doctor and if you and they think radiotherapy (for example) is a better treatment option and you can afford it then don't put it off because you want to see if a diet could work. After all I don't think it could be a cure I just think it could help. 

Any thoughts? 

I have also found the following references: 

A low-carb diet kills tumor cells with a mutant p53 tumor suppressor gene

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3610718/

Dietary downregulation of mutant p53 levels via glucose restriction

Mechanisms and implications for tumor therapy

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3552926/

Patient Series - Patient 8 Introduction

Initial Background Questions:

Please state your age, gender, country of origin and where you live (if different to origin) and how long you have had the condition?

Age: 62

Female

Born in UK. Live in Blyth, Northumberland.

Do you have it in both feet or any hands?

My lumps appeared suddenly in July 2013. Both feet are affected. Left foot had one lump in centre of arch; right foot the lump is close to ball of foot. The lumps appeared after walking holiday in France. Suspicion that a 7km walk down a steep road after watching the finish of a stage of the Tour de France may have contributed to their appearance!

I had previously suffered from rather stiff toe joints, arch aching and cramps whilst walking and during the night.

I have Dupuytrens in both hands. Very slight pull towards of cord between first and second fingers on both hands.

Please detail any family history or common risk factors which apply to you:

I have thyroid cancer. Have no thyroid gland left and take levothyroxine daily. High dose to inhibit the thyroid stimulating hormone. Ledderhose and Dupuytrens developed since treatment started.

Please list any treatments you have had, the time since you had them, the progress (or lack of) after treatment and any side effects:

Ledderhose diagnosed in November 2013 after ultrasound.

Referred to consultant surgeon. Surgery was dismissed as successful removal was unlikely. Remains an option only as last resort. Cortisone injections were suggested and I have had one injection directly into the lump on my left foot. Found the injecting of the anaesthetic particularly painful. Lump was swollen at first then settled down. No real benefit identified.

Now working with podiatrist. Have had memory foam inserts to inform the making of insoles to support my arch and to correct a slight turn of my foot when walking. Now on third insole. The lump on left foot has grown and new insole will have a gap so that no pressure is put on it. Insoles expected this week. I now have open appointment with the podiatry service. I  can make my own appointment if there is any change.

Please detail any other information from your past which you think may be relevant and not covered in the monthly questions:

N/A

Monthly Questions:

1. In the last month have you noticed any changes in the pain or size of the nodules? Or have any new nodules have developed?

A recent change overnight one nodule changed to two. These two have merged to form a long lump.

2. Please list a) The maximum pain b) the average pain c) the minimum pain you experienced this month and anything that improved or worsened the pain. 

A. The worst pain is the acute pain I feel when I stretch my foot and a stinging tearing sensation is felt, e.g. when attempting to run up stairs or walking in the morning or getting out of bed in the night.

B. Generally I have a medium pain after long walks, shopping etc. lumps feels bruised. Pain is tolerable.

C. General pain is usually an ache or at times a burning sensation during the night.

3. In the last month what medication or treatments have you had, please describe in as much detail as possible including whether prescribed or home treatment, if applicable where the treatment was administered, by whom, cost (if happy to share) and how this has impacted the condition.

I find a foot spa with oils relaxes my feet when I have pain.

Try to start the day with simple stretching exercises by pulling up my toes. Toe joints are quite stiff.

4. Please describe how the condition has impacted you on a daily basis in the last month and any new steps (not treatments) that you have taken to try and alleviate this impact. 

Ledderhose has impacted on everyday life. Try not to stand for long periods and do not walk as far either whilst shopping or in the outdoors. Always walk with a stick if walking in the hills and this does help relieve some pressure and helps stabilise to the feet.

I can walk for several miles and I do walk the dog daily. I always wear supportive boots or trainers with insoles when I go out. Feet often sore afterwards.

5.Please describe the level of exercise that you have been able to achieve this month and any specific diets you have used if you think they have impacted the condition.

I follow a low fat diet and this month have had no alcohol.

6. Please list any other information that you think would be useful.

Memories of my Nan

The thing that I love about the blog is that ultimately it is a personal thing and I can do with it as I wish. Here I almost always talk about relevant things. Ledderhose is a major part of my life and has been for years and I love helping people around the world to tackle this condition but one thing that is a hurdle for funding and research is that this condition is not life threatening and sometimes it is clear to see why that is so important. My blog would never have gotten off of the ground without the help and support of my family and friends and I have the sad news that someone that I know who read the blog a lot has passed away due to cancer.

This post is coming very soon after my Nan passing away and I hope nobody finds that disrespectful, we have known for weeks and I wanted to post this whilst it was all fresh in my mind and doing it felt like it had meaning and was a way of dealing with the emotions going through my head.

The Cancer:

Back in early September my wife and I had my Nan and her Husband over for cards, we had a lovely evening and it was great to see them getting on so well with my daughter (who absolutely loved the owl necklace my Nan was wearing "twit-twoo"). My Nan mentioned that night that she was feeling unwell and that she was booked in for some tests. Unfortunately before September had finished my Nan took a turn for the worse and had to be taken to hospital where tests and scans showed she had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, the cancer had spread to her liver. My Nan coped with the news really well and was brave and courageous in her battle to the end. 

Obviously cancer is never a good thing, I have been involved in cancer research and I have known several people who have had it but up until now I have never had anyone close to me die. I have been incredibly lucky and I am trying to look at it from this perspective - I have got to know all my grandparents, not just as a child but I have got to know them as a grown up and they have all met my daughter, their great-granddaughter.

My Nan was given medication to control the pain but really there was nothing that could be done. At her age there was every chance that the harsh treatments used would only make things worse. By the middle of October we were told that we were probably looking at a few months if we were lucky but that it could be as little as a few weeks. Her health had deteriorated and she was showing signs of jaundice, it is really not easy seeing someone you care about going through this and knowing you are helpless. As quick as a week later we were told it could be days and to not expect things to last beyond the next week. I called her up shortly after receiving this news basically to say that I loved her and goodbye, this was without a doubt the hardest phone call I have ever had to make but it was great to talk to her. She did not sound herself and was no longer able to walk or do the things she loved although she was in a hospice with great care.

Sadly yesterday, not even the end of October, she passed away at 5:30pm, with her husband, son and daughter (my Mum) at her side. In a way it was good that she didn't have to suffer for too long but at the same time, from a selfish point of view, it would have been nice to have longer to get used to the idea and to have seen her a few more times. The cancer was very aggressive and the deterioration was very quick.

A gummy snake like my Nan used to buy me.

The memories:
I have chosen to look back at some of the memories I have and show how often she was there with us. 

I have many memories from my childhood involving my Nan. She used to come over during the summer holidays to look after me, my brother and sister, we would always meet her in town and she would often take us in Woolworths. We were allowed to get a few sweets and I would always go for the giant jelly marshmallow snakes and if I am honest I still have a taste for them to this day even if it because of the memories as much as my sweet tooth. In fact today I went to out and got one of these for me and one for my daughter (pictured on the left) and I still enjoy them :-)

I remember going to stay with my Nan and step-Grandad at their house near the sea, listening to old sixties music with them (can't remember why but why not) and generally having a good time. They would always save up their change so that we could go down to the pier and have a go on all the little games, trying to win more money but always losing their pennies, these are times I shall always cherish. Moving on a little bit when my brother, sister and I did well with our GCSE results they treated us to different things to match who we are. I ended up on a weekend away which included my first and currently only Premiership football game, I still have many vivid memories of that day and the lengths they went to ensuring I had a good time. 

Growing up I have continued to have my family around me, I remember my Nan being with us at many important events and us being at her important events. I remember going to her wedding, going to many milestone birthdays and probably getting looks because I was in shorts even though it was a smart place and it was the middle of winter. My Nan was always well presented and you are unlikely to find a house as well kept and clean as hers.

A few years ago now, probably more like 13 or so in fact my Mum, Dad, brother, sister and I all went on holiday together with Nan and Richard to Portugal. We all stayed in a really nice Villa and although I can't remember exact details I do remember having a great holiday. I remember their bedroom got invaded by ants and someone driving along too fast on the back roads and playing loads of games and having lots of fun.

For some of my best memories though I was actually in a suit. We were all together for my brothers wedding. My Nan was with me in 2009 when I graduated from Uni, it was a really nice day and I really appreciated everyone going to the effort to come and how proud my Nan was, I specifically recall her telling me how she had told her hair dressers that she was off to my graduation and that she was looking forward to it. 

I remember the family all being together at my wife and I's Wedding day which still ranks as the best of my life, being there with everyone you love is amazing and it has been so great to celebrate so many great occasions. although a shame that it is now not possible for everyone to be there. The most recent event has been more of a journey, family is important to me and I know they can't be here forever so although really busy we have tried our best to ensure that we spend time with everyone so that they get to know our daughter. We have had a welcome to the world party, her first Christmas and a first Birthday party and my Nan has been at all of these. We have had Nan and Richard over to play cards many times and they were good times spent have fun. I just wish I had a few more pictures of Amelia with Nan and this is certainly something I plan on addressing in the future with everyone else!

As a family we are looking to do a run or walk next year for Pancreatic Cancer UK this will give us something positive to focus our emotions on as Nan will be missed.

It is hard to think that I will not be seeing her again, although not feeling great she was here playing cards only 8 weeks ago if that!!! To me Nan has always been kind, caring, helpful and willing to listen even if she was not always the most punctual. Almost every time I saw my Nan since I started the blog she has told me how proud she is of the blog and how many people it helps so I felt it only fitting that I write about how proud I am of her and how she dealt with the cancer on this blog.

I know that things in life change and this year at Christmas there will definitely be something missing but we will make sure that we try to enjoy the day in the same way as we would when she was here. Reliving old memories puts a smile on my face but thinking of all the future memories that are going to be missed is much harder to think about...

Thank you for the memories you really will be missed.

Good bye Nan.

I wanted to use a happy picture with everyone waving and this is the one that I found.

Why Ledderhose disease is not Cancer...

Why is it not cancer?

I have seen that I have had several visits on the blog from different people that are asking..."Is Ledderhose disease cancer?" Or at least something along those lines so I thought I would clear up the matter a little bit. To be best most of this is just a rehash or simple copy and paste from the Cancer Research UK website which is great. I thought it would be best to start off with a definition of cancer and a definition of Ledderhose.

Cancer:

"Cancer is a disease caused by normal cells changing so that they grow in an uncontrolled way. The uncontrolled growth causes a lump called a tumour to form. If not treated, the tumour can cause problems in one or more of the following ways

• Spreading into normal tissues nearby
• Causing pressure on other body structures
• Spreading to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream" [1]

Ledderhose:

Now for a description made up by me.

Ledderhose is the formation of nodules / tumours caused by cells in the foot changing so that they grow in an uncontrolled manner.

Comparison:

As you can see there are some similarities and both do result in a tumour but a tumour does not mean cancer and for this I am going to go back to the Cancer Research UK page as this really does have lots of useful information.

"Tumours (lumps) can be benign or malignant. Benign means it is not cancer. Benign tumours

• Usually grow quite slowly
• Do not spread to other parts of the body
• Usually have a covering made up of normal cells

Benign tumours are made up of cells that are quite similar to normal cells. They will only cause a problem if they

• Grow very large
• Become uncomfortable or unsightly
• Press on other body organs
• Take up space inside the skull (such as a brain tumour)
• Release hormones that affect how the body works

Malignant tumours are made up of cancer cells. They

• Usually grow faster than benign tumours
• Spread into and destroy surrounding tissues
• Spread to other parts of the body" [1]

So as I said that info is just from the Cancer research UK page and is not my work but theirs but I think that it does a great job of explaining my point. Ledderhose disease tumours are benign tumours and do not spread around the body, if you also get something like Dupuytren's that is not the spread of the disease but rather the same disease occuring in another part of the body.

So I hope that should anyone come here now looking for the answer to this question they have it answered and have a great link to go to for more information.

[1] http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/cells/what-cancer-is