A surgeon who has overcome cancer three times has shared an important message regarding what she won't eat or drink as a cancer fighter.
Dr. Liz O'Riordan, 50, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, and since then she's faced two recurrences. In the last decade, she has endured a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and will remain on treatment for the remainder of her life.
Dr. O'Riordan, from the United Kingdom, told Newsweek that after her ordeal with cancer, there's only one food she refuses to eat: grapefruit, because it "can interfere with" her prescription medication.
There is nothing else that she would avoid, and certainly nothing she would tell other cancer patients to stay away from.
"One of the things I get asked by a lot of cancer patients is what can I eat? What supplement or diet should I eat to stop it from coming back? But the truth is, there is no cancer diet," Dr. O'Riordan said.
"If there was a diet that would cure you, your oncologist would have told you. There is no magic supplement, so if you haven't been recommended one by your doctor, then you don't need to take one," she continued.
The National Cancer Institute suggests that patients might choose complementary and alternative medicine to help cope with treatment, to feel like they're doing something to help, or even to try and cure themselves. However, diet alone doesn't control cancer, and natural doesn't necessarily mean safe.
There isn't a magic diet that will cure or control cancer, as the National Cancer Institute explains. Everyone has a different metabolism, so what works well for one person might not work for the next. Its advice is to follow a well-rounded diet, incorporating a variety of healthy foods.
As a doctor, O'Riordan explained that she barely spoke to patients about diet because she "wrongly assumed" that everyone knew the basics. Whether they've been diagnosed with cancer or not, a balanced diet is the way to go.
Countering Online Misinformation
Following her diagnosis, Dr. O'Riordan was astounded by the amount of misinformation and dangerous rhetoric online. She discovered content discussing how veganism could cure cancer, or the carnivore diet (only eating meat) would stop it from coming back, to name just a few.
She was horrified by this and wanted to create a space for people to find honest and balanced information—from someone who not only worked as a cancer surgeon, but fought it too. So, Dr. O'Riordan started posting on social media (@oriordanliz on Instagram and TikTok) to provide explanations, and as she puts it, "break down the unfounded nonsense."
In December, she posted a video detailing the one food she "won't eat as a cancer surgeon and patient." The clip details why grapefruit is the only thing she doesn't eat, and it attracted over 41,600 views and 1,300 likes at the time of writing.
"People want to think there is a magic fix. So, I thought I'd try something by sharing my video, and I was amazed at the reaction," Dr. O'Riordan told Newsweek. "After seeing the misinformation that people believe, I wanted them to realize there's nothing you can or cannot have, unless it interferes with the drugs that you're on."
She continued: "We're not talking about buying a handbag, this is your body and your life. If there was a magic answer, every international cancer society would be shouting it from the rooftops. But that magic doesn't exist. Cancer is sneaky and, there is currently nothing that can beat bad biology."
When she was going through chemotherapy, Dr. O'Riordan recalled eating a bland diet because her mouth was sore and she lost her sense of taste. When her treatment was complete, she envisaged herself eating a healthy diet filled with vegetables, juices and smoothies to get all the nutrients. But then her taste buds came back and there was only one thing on her mind: cake. And that was perfectly fine too.
It's All About Balance
Dr. O'Riordan wants people to know that they don't have to live on a restrictive diet to prevent cancer from returning, and they don't have to avoid anything unhealthy.
This is echoed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which encourages cancer survivors to fill half their plate with fruit and vegetables if they can, recreate their favorite recipes with healthy ingredients, and regard sugary food and drinks and alcohol as treats.
"I was amazed to find out how many diets are out there, which I was suddenly being sent videos about," Dr. O'Riordan said. "Things were showing up on my feed about cancer diets and supplements, and I thought, 'Do people seriously believe this?'
"My worry is that people start taking things that could be dangerous, which could make them ill. They're not getting enough protein, fiber or enough nutrients. It may impair the results of things like radiotherapy, but they don't realize the damage they are potentially doing and the money they are needlessly spending," she added.
People often see testimonials or celebrity endorsements for holistic treatments, which Dr. O'Riordan has debunked before. She added that the wellness phenomenon also plays a pivotal role, as people start eating healthier, exercising more and focusing on what they put into their body, which naturally makes them feel better.
However, wellness doesn't mean spending thousands of dollars on online courses or eating a restrictive diet.
"You need to make sure you get a good protein source in every meal to keep you strong, at least five fruit and veg a day, and fiber, which is good for your gut. There is nothing you need to avoid," Dr. O'Riordan told Newsweek.
"Of course, there will be times when we eat ultra-processed foods, takeaways or a glass of bubbly, and that's fine. Don't be scared or frightened by anything you hear about diet and cancer risk. Your individual effect is really small," she said.
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