Facebook Quandry

mamarosi · 2017-07-01 16:35:03 UTC

I shared an article about how a ketogenic diet can starve cancer cells and am receiving some negative feedback from friends that I love. I am not good at debate, and I never want to make anyone else feel bad about choices they make or beliefs they hold. I guess my question is this, do I continue sharing articles and research on Facebook knowing that I will receive negative input,or should I just keep what I know to myself. I do not want to damage relationships nor do I want to ruin my chances for a career teaching Biology. I am currently in a Masters program to teach Biology in secondary education. I am 43 btw, have been Keto since August 2016 and do not want to stop with this way of life!

MaryAnn · 2017-07-01 17:40:03 UTC

Hello there,
I’m not sure my perspective is going to help as I gave up FB a long time ago but… I’m kinda in the same boat (41 yr old, PhD in organic chemistry). My best friend is battling cancer right now and she is the only one I’ve shared the cancer / keto research with. And that was after approaching it cautiously. She’s my best friend so she understood my intent. I provided the information and that was it. She did ask some questions. I’ve been very dismayed that all her doctors have no input on nutrition (before, during, after chemo).

Like you, because the topic is so important I wanted to share this information with more people I know and love! But I have not done so. Food and nutrition provokes many strong feelings for many folks. It’s not surprising when you think of the shame society puts on eating habits.

With spreading the cancer/keto word I was very worried that it would come off as “see you ate sugar and gave yourself cancer”. Again, I don’t think that. I am just sensitive to the fact that if someone is battling an illness they may blame themselves for it. I think this happens a lot in the T2D community. You hear many stories on this forum about it. Getting past the causes of an illness to be open to what we can do to help the situation is a tricky bridge to cross.

There is also the fact that FB is so public. Being misconstrued by a potential employer or colleague may have some unintended consequences.

Madeleine · 2017-07-01 17:40:25 UTC

I have a hard time with this question myself. I recently shared some of the keto/cancer research with an acquaintance who had been diagnosed (I just figured: worst case scenario she resents me and dismisses it, but if it might make her round of chemo even a bit easier, it seemed worth it).
She wasn’t interested, put keto/fasting in the category of “miracle cures” that her doctors had warned her about - even though I had only spoken of it as an adjunct to mainstream treatment to lessen side effects of chemo and possibly improve its efficacy - and that was frustrating. But she brought up something else that I would not have anticipated: her prognosis isn’t good and she has young children that she will be leaving behind, and for her the guilt - that there’s maybe something she should be doing that she’s not doing - is awful. It’s almost as if even contemplating something in addition to her current treatment - and then choosing not to do it - somehow carried with it the weight of guilt for the likely outcome. I was moved (and humbled) and wished her the best.

It seems fine to me to share articles or research in a general way; there’s always a chance that someone will tuck it away and use it later. In terms of your own career, maybe be careful not to make claims in your own words in your posts? Even those on the front edge of keto/cancer research are pretty cautious about their results and they’re clear that this research is in very early stages.

Madeleine · 2017-07-01 17:42:18 UTC

I was writing at the same time as you, Mary Ann - but yes, this is exactly what I was trying to say. It’s very tricky.

Kyz · 2017-07-01 17:43:07 UTC

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if it’s wrong. Hopefully the negative feedback isn’t directed at you. I don’t debate either. I’ve posted very little about this lifestyle directly on my FB page. While I’m excited about how I feel, I just don’t do drama (if I can help it!). It seems to be a well-known fact that cancer feeds off sugar so you’d think everyone could at least agree on that. Two options I can think of are…post nothing or edit who can see those posts. I often hide posts (custom setting for who can view what you’re posting) from anyone I think would react negatively to what I’m currently posting.

For example, my youngest daughter might get blocked from seeing a post about me buying something nice for myself. (Because the resulting reply from her would be, great, now buy me one! lol)

MaryAnn · 2017-07-01 17:44:52 UTC

That’s so funny, Madeleine-- me too.

And this is exactly what I meant to say!

It’s like if they don’t do keto then they are harming themselves. I did not want my friend to walk away with that impression.

Quarry · 2017-07-01 21:00:20 UTC

My first post here. You folks echo thoughts that roll through my head daily with regard to a friend with cancer.
This friend of 48 years (we’re both 62) has had a recurrence of brain cancer, is obese, is on metformin. She has seen that I’ve gone from 264 to 199 thanks to lchf/keto. I want to clobber her with a library of books, podcasts, web links, but am refraining. For now I plan to lead by example (for weight loss) hoping for a sign from her that she is open to considering the message. I wonder whether the forthcoming Dr. Nally, Jimmy Moore book might express things well to her (she’s a big reader; not much of an internet user). I’m a little concerned the title Keto Cure might sound too “woo-woo” though.
Best wishes to you posters and to your friends.

Shortstuff · 2017-07-02 06:02:59 UTC

Just remember the old phrase - you can take a horse to water but can’t make it drink.

You’re not sharing to get into a debate so don’t debate. You’re sharing to help get the word out, no need to respond to anyone.

LindaA · 2017-07-02 06:39:03 UTC

I agree with @Shortstuff. Share by all means, but if someone posts a response you don’t like, then ignore it. Don’t respond. That’s what I do.

I’m in a situation where I recently found out my cousin’s husband has Alzheimer’s.

I phoned her and simply stated “I have some information on diet that may be of benefit but I don’t know how receptive you will both be, but if the situation was reversed, I would be sad if you didn’t share it with me. Would you like me email you the information, then if you have any questions, you can ask for more info?”

She was very happy to read what I sent her, she verified some of what I suggested with her local trusted health food shop regarding taking coconut oil, but really didn’t want to know anymore about Keto. Their choice, I’ve now dropped it and won’t mention it again unless she wants more info.

rettakat · 2017-07-02 07:37:21 UTC

So heartwarming to read all your thoughts on this subject. Such thoughtful, kind, and caring people!

So… my 2 cents. I was diagnosed with cancer last year. Surgery turned out not to be an option for a couple of reasons. Needing alternatives. I’ve been LCHF for years. Did research and found tons of encouraging info on keto and cancer. Even bought a science based book by Ellen Davis, MS called Fight Cancer with a Ketogenic Diet, so I could take something solid and informative to my doctor.

We talked about my test results, then I dragged out the book and started talking to her about what I am doing. She looked closely thru the book, then said to me: oh, I have another patient who has this same book and is doing a ketogenic diet, and she is doing great!

Yes, I was glad she was supportive. But here’s the thing… at the same time a voice in my head was angrily screaming: THEN WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME!!!

And there is the dilemma. To tell or not to tell. Risk someones annoyance, or give them info that could save - or improve - their life if they choose to follow it.

I can only speak for myself. I wish she had told me months earlier! After getting home and calming down, I realized she was bound to the “standard of care” rules, and could possibly get in trouble coloring outside the lines.

But as non-physicians, we are free to share in a caring way. They are free to accept or reject. I like what someone suggested about just giving links, and being sparse with personal opinion so as not to harm career opportunities or particular readers. I have no doubts that the people I’ve read here would do the sharing in a kind and gentle way. You never know who might need it.

donut · 2017-07-02 10:33:28 UTC

Cancer is a sensitive topic, far more so than most other health issues.

From their point of view, that kind of information sounds like any other kind of ‘alternative’ treatment, and IMO it’s a good and healthy response to shun that kind of thing. In general, telling a cancer patient that some particular alternative treatment is a cure, and that the doctors treating them don’t know what they’re doing, is incredibly dangerous. Think of Steve Jobs, one of the richest and most influential people in the world, who quite possibly would still be alive had he not delayed operations and chemotherapy for nine months while trying alternative medicines. They can be dangerously alluring.

If your friends have reacted negatively to you sharing that information about keto—something that smells to them like quackery—it shows they care and don’t want you to be drawn into a world of misinformation.

Now, I realise that doesn’t really help you figure out how to get through to your friends. All I can think of right now is that there are so many other health benefits from eating a ketogenic diet that I’m sure you can always sell your friends on the diet without needing to bring up the cancer issue. If you’re eating this way, you get the benefits, whether you know about them or not.

mamarosi · 2017-07-02 12:36:39 UTC

I appreciate your responses so much! Thank you! I ended up deleting the post because it seemed to be elevating people’s emotions. My dad and my sister both died from cancer. My sister had a long battle with oligodendroglioma and died at 50 years old. My dad was a Type 2 diabetic and died just two weeks after giving me away at my wedding. He found he had cancer only a few weeks before. My dad’s diabetes was reversible and it is quite possible that his cancer could have been prevented or slowed down. I didn’t know it then but I do know now. I feel compelled to share and I want people to know but I also have to realize that not everyone wants to know and not everyone wants to do what I am doing and that is okay. I am doing this for me because I want to live as long as I can. Before starting this I felt like I was dying. I have sleep apnea really bad and was always tired and sick feeling. I am almost 100 percent sure I had diabetic issues that were undiagnosed. I feel so much better after losing weight and eating this way, I want to scream it from the mountaintops. I think you all are right, though. I will continue to share links that I think are helpful and not inflammatory but I am not going to make bold claims for cures. Thanl you all for your kind, thoughtful responses. It means a lot to me!

Madeleine · 2017-07-02 12:56:22 UTC

Retta, thank you so much for chiming into this discussion. I kind of assumed something along the lines that you’re saying: better by far to annoy someone and have them think I’m nuts than risk not sharing something that might really help.
Best wishes to you!

gardengirlkp · 2017-07-02 12:58:33 UTC

I don’t share those articles on my personal FB page or even on my weight maintenance page or blog ( non commercial, I sell nothing)

There’s so much woo and harm. I know an ovarian cancer survivor who was just told about Keto maybe helping. She also fasts for religious reasons. So, next time I see her, I’ll mention that I use Keto for food addiction and weight maintenance.

Even the difference between how I use it and how she may use it and her meds are vastly different.

I’m a health care professional IRL, licensed and most of my work has been in Hematology-Oncology. The false claims being made on podcasts and blogs in the cure area and some of the disease areas give me a case of the sads.

Glad you deleted the post. The best thing you can do -IMO is let people know what you use Keto, what benefits you’ve had and leave it right there.

The icky false cures offered to a family member with MS ( he died after 25 years with it) were appalling. Yes , I know Wahls Protocol lessons symptoms, but when you are end stage, you don’t go on about it yo the person or family. Even early stage. I offer to lend my book to them and tell them I’ve met a few folks for whom it did help.

bikeflea · 2017-07-03 15:20:19 UTC

Same experience here… I simply say “here are some articles and Dr Fungs work. Read it and then we will talk. I’m not an expert… I just think it’s really cool.”