HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

StephN · 12-09-2012, 01:25 PM

Dear Sarah -
This article has put some detail on a statement that I have heard many times - that our cancer cells are able to proliferate because they remain somehow under the radar of our HEALTHY immune systems.

‘Cancer cells have a special way of thwarting the immune system by putting sugars on the surface of tumour cells so they can travel around the body without being detected.

So, that is how the sneaky little cells get away until there is a detectable tumor!

Maybe it did help me become and stay NED when I cut out the sugar from my diet for 5 years, and still intake very little simple sugar.

I know our body breaks down carbs and other things to sugar, but if there is much less for the body to use, maybe the cancer cells could not snatch it all for their use. (Giving my many years on HERCEPTIN alone a chance to wipe out any remaining stray cells.) Maybe someone will answer that one day?

12-09-2012, 01:25 PM	#2
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: cancer vaccine could replace Herceptin Dear Sarah - This article has put some detail on a statement that I have heard many times - that our cancer cells are able to proliferate because they remain somehow under the radar of our HEALTHY immune systems. ‘Cancer cells have a special way of thwarting the immune system by putting sugars on the surface of tumour cells so they can travel around the body without being detected. So, that is how the sneaky little cells get away until there is a detectable tumor! Maybe it did help me become and stay NED when I cut out the sugar from my diet for 5 years, and still intake very little simple sugar. I know our body breaks down carbs and other things to sugar, but if there is much less for the body to use, maybe the cancer cells could not snatch it all for their use. (Giving my many years on HERCEPTIN alone a chance to wipe out any remaining stray cells.) Maybe someone will answer that one day? __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.