By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Conservatives: The Utah Health Exchange is Not a Model
    July 23, 2011
    Medical Malpractice Reform Losing Physician Support
    November 7, 2011
    Hospitals Aim to Apply Direct Payments of Care Delivery to Increase Resources
    August 28, 2012
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Social Media, Diet and Cancer
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Home Health > Social Media, Diet and Cancer
Home HealthPublic HealthSocial Media

Social Media, Diet and Cancer

Andrew Schorr
Last updated: October 25, 2011 7:14 am
Andrew Schorr
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

The new book is out about Steve Jobs. You may have already heard that he regretted delaying surgery for months for a type of pancreatic cancer and explored alternatives, including dietary changes. He told his biographer he later came to the conclusion that it was the wrong personal health decision.

The new book is out about Steve Jobs. You may have already heard that he regretted delaying surgery for months for a type of pancreatic cancer and explored alternatives, including dietary changes. He told his biographer he later came to the conclusion that it was the wrong personal health decision.

If you check out social media conversations about health, the value of dietary changes is always a hot topic. Can becoming a vegetarian, for example, arrest the development of cancer or prevent its recurrence?

This week I will participate in a webinar on social media and breast cancer. One other panelist helps run a patient advocacy group. The other is a respected nurse who helps run the breast center at Johns Hopkins. In a preliminary discussion they each noted that women ask all the time about special diets and herbs as something the patient themselves can do to fight their cancer.

More Read

Mistakes Practices Make On Their Website and Social Media
Why Wellness Clinic Blogs Need Bylines and Bios
Crowdfunding American Veterans – A Brilliant Idea
Why Physicians Are Afraid of Social Media and Why They Shouldn’t Be
First Edition of HealthCare Social Media Review! Request for Submissions!

I ask doctors who I interview all the time about this. Admittedly, these are allopathic docs. They always answer that they have not seen convincing studies about the cancer fighting effects of diet and they sometimes mention that some supplements have even been shown to boost cancer cell growth.

Here’s where I come out: When I was first diagnosed with leukemia in 1996 my dear wife, Esther, had me drinking juice from fresh fruit, mandated I stop drinking coffee (which is tough in Seattle!) and had me take some supplements. I had already been off red meat for 20 years by my own choice. It became “crazy making” for me. I ended up just doing regular exercise (studies confirm this is good for everyone, including cancer patients during treatment); no juicing, no supplements, and I resumed morning lattes and good cheer with my Starbucks buddies. My mental health improved with the return to normalcy. When I began heavy-duty chemo I even had a craving for red meat – I felt it would build healthy blood (an emotional idea, not scientific).

So here I am, in spite of what a zillion people debate in chat groups and on Facebook. I am not a vegan. I drink every once in a while. I eat some red meat. I have no sign of leukemia now post treatment (Yay!), and I feel good.

I do have friends who follow restrictive diets and they feel good too. Does any of this fight cancer? My view is a restrictive diet does not. But, again, this is a great debate and it is one that gets amplified in social media.

In the end, as we discussed in our pre-webinar call, no one online should tell you what to do. It is a very individual decision about treatment and diet. And it is one you can reflect upon and change at any time. As you will see from the Steve Jobs biography, he reflected upon it a lot.

I hope you can make the live webinar or the replay. It is sure to have meaning for people beyond those affected by breast cancer.

Wishing you and your family the best of health!

Andrew

TAGGED:cancerdietwellness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

PCP visits too short
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPublic Health

Why Do I Only Get 10 Minutes with My Doctor?

September 22, 2014
Image
OrthopaedicsSocial Media

What is the Future of Social Media for Orthopedic Surgeons?

May 1, 2012
BHM Healthcare Solutions | Independent Review Organization
BusinessGlobal HealthcarePublic Health

5 Signs That It Is Time to Reevaluate Your Independent Review Organization

August 14, 2015

Tell Us YOUR Story – Patient Centered Care

October 23, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?