Question
Three years ago I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It's terminal. I have cancer between my nose and throat. I also had secondary cancer in my neck. I've received two lots of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the cancer still persists in the nasal pharynic region and in the bone of my C5/C6 vertebrae. It is impossible to say what brought on my cancer.
Second-hand smoking is a possibility - I've never smoked. Doctors say I have one to two years to live. But at 49 I am strong and determined to increase my life expectancy. I know diet is important, but - and I know this sounds counter-intuitive - I have read reports that fresh fruit and veg and antioxidants can promote the growth of cancer cells. Any suggestions?
The surgeon
Iain Hutchison
The medical treatment for your cancer is chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Surgery is usually not an option for extensive disease at the back of the nose because the cancer is next to important brain-stem structures. It usually responds well to radio- and chemotherapy, so I'm sorry it has not been successful. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is more common among the Chinese. Therefore the world expert in nasopharyngeal carcinoma is William Wei, the professor of head and neck cancer at the Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. Start by contacting him.
You mention that passive smoking may have caused your cancer. It's hard to say. There may be an environmental element, such as a bad diet or passive smoking; it could be hereditary or viral. It is important how you deal with it now. Keep up with the latest research via your hospital and websites, such as www.savingfaces.co.uk, eat balanced meals, and call Hong Kong.
· Iain Hutchison is an oral and facial surgeon and chief executive of facial surgery research charity Saving Faces
The patient
Jane Tomlinson
Firstly, I'd like to express my sadness on the prognosis. The day Mike and I were told I was going to die, my breast-care nurse told us in what seemed an almost sadistic way not to cling to any glimmer of hope. Only later did we realise that, though the natural reaction is to keep looking for a 'cure', it was once we'd accepted the inevitable that we could move forward. I wouldn't advise anyone on how to live their life - it's just my personal choice to do endurance sports. One thing that's helped me cope is that I make sure I spend quality time individually with each of my three children so they have their own unique memories of me.
All I would say is do the things you enjoy doing. Instant gratification works when time is short. Finally, don't let others pre-define what you can do. This is your life, so live it how you want to.
· Jane Tomlinson was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in 2000, and told she had six months to live. Six years later, she has raised £1.2m for charity and has just finished cycling across America (www.janesappeal.com)
The dietician
Jacqui Lowdon
Unfortunately there is no miracle diet or food supplement for cancer. The best thing you can do is to eat a well-balanced diet using fresh, good-quality produce. I'd want to check that you have a healthy BMI that doesn't fall below 20, as you need a strong immune system to fight cancer. Nutritional analysis shows that organic foods have a higher nutritional value than non-organic, so this is a practical step to take. You can take a multivitamin, but only the recommended dose, as too much vitamin A, D and E can be toxic.
I haven't seen any evidence that antioxidants can accelerate cancer - they can help prevent certain types. And don't cut down on five portions of fruit and veg, or you won't get the vitamins and minerals you need.
Contact the World Cancer Research Fund (020 7343 4200; www.wcrf-uk.org), which researches the role of diet and nutrition in the prevention of cancer.
· Jacqui Lowdon is a registered dietician at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
· If you have a health question for our experts, email health@observer.co.uk
