Is it okay to offer advice with people with Cancer?

say you could say that should not eat certain things and take vitamins etcIs it okay to offer advice with people with Cancer?
Cancer treatments can make what is considered good advice for general health into something that should be avoided. And it often gives advice that sounds crazy.





Unless you know what you are talking about, and know what the cancer patient is undergoing in terms of treatment, it might be best to avoid any specific advice.Is it okay to offer advice with people with Cancer?
You have some good answers here.





I'd say a flat out NO, it isn't ok to offer advice to people with cancer unless you are a doctor.





Anecdotal advice from people who have or have had cancer is fine, as Midnight says, but too many people who know absolutely nothing about cancer feel they have a right or even a duty to advise cancer patients.





As well as certain foods and vitamins having a potentially damaging effect on treatment, there is no scientific proof that any food or diet has any effect, good or bad, on the progress of cancer.





When you are diagnosed with cancer, you get a huge amount of advice from well meaning people about nutrition, alternative treatments, staying positive etc. And then as you learn more about your cancer, because you have to, you realise none of them knew the first thing about cancer but were repeating cliches, or things they'd vaguely heard, or nonsense they'd read on the internet.





Here on YA I too have seen people giving potentially fatal advice to people with cancer.





Be aware that if you do give advice, without being completely sure of what you're talking about, you may be doing much more harm than good.
I second the first answer. If you dont know what you are talking about, DONT. Too many people around here give out medical advice when they have no idea what they are talking about. Some of the ';advice'; I have seen on here could actually kill a cancer patient.





When it comes to medical advice, I always state clearly that I am not a doctor and that they should ask their doctor before doing/taking anything.





If you have had cancer, feel free to share your anecdotal advice. For example, cancer patients often have a hard time eating because of nausea. I often tell people on here what I did to relieve the nausea. But, once again, they need to consult their doctor before doing/taking anything.





I am very familar with the neutropenic diet/hygiene restrictions, and I find myself explaining the reasoning behind it often, and that does include things they should not eat. But, once again, they need to consult their doctor.





The theme I have been repeating here is that if you do give advice, make it clear that you are not a doctor and that you dont know their case and that they need to consult their doctor about any advice that comes from anyone.
It widely depends if the cancer victims is in treatment. If not, then a good nutritional diet with some supplements could be recommended, if knowledgeable in that field. But if in treatment, its best to leave that up to the oncologist in charge. There are many supplements that can block the effect of treatments. Most cancer patients eat what they can while on chemo so its not usually an issue.
All depends on them and the situation. Ordinarily, if you are not family or a really close friend, I wouldn't give advise unless it was asked of you.


They likely have a doctor and a battle plan and they don't need to waste time and effort defending it to you.
Don't offer advice unless you're very sure of what you're talking about. No one with cancer should take vitamins and how do you know what they should eat, are you a doctor?
They would probably be thinking you should mind your own business unless they ask you specifically. If the person needs to know anything special, the drs and nurses will inform.