The moment you receive a cancer diagnosis, your doctor will probably go through a list of your cancer treatment options and what he or she will do in your particular case. Many people have similar conversations with family, friends, and co-workers about the future and what help you’ll need in your personal and professional life.

Now an important question. What can you do to help yourself?

It may be tempting, even easy, to give up control of your life until you’re better. That’s a mistake. This is your disease now. It’s your body, your choice and your responsibility. Let the experts do their job (and ask lots of questions) but remember to keep actively working toward your own recovery.

Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery deplete your mind, body, and spirit. Any person who has dealt with cancer personally or in regards to someone they love can attest to the turmoil the disease causes in so many areas. It is easy to become lost in feelings of helplessness and worry.Diet is a simple yet crucial aspect of your life that you can control. It’s critical to pay close attention to the food you consume during treatment.

Five Cancer-Fighting Foods

Fatty Fish

Fish oils contain long chain omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats are a potent anti-inflammatory and protect the body from negative hormones produced during treatment that inflame and irritate. Oily fish like mackerel, wild salmon, tuna, sardines, and herring also contain vitamins A and D – known to be forceful fighters in the battle against cancer.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts like walnuts, Brazil nuts and almonds contain selenium, a strong anti-cancer compound. Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are packed with zinc and vitamin E. The vitamin E provides your immune system with a huge boost and zinc aids in the absorption of vitamin C.

Red and Yellow Peppers

Red and yellow peppers are packed with vitamin C. This influential antioxidant strengthens your immune system and neutralizes toxins. Peppers contain even more vitamin C than is commonly found in oranges. They also contain carotenoids that convert to vitamin A. Other sources of these are carrots, sweet potatoes, and dried apricots.

Mushrooms

Chinese medicine has used medicinal mushrooms for hundreds of years as blood purifiers, immune system balancers, and to aid in the performance of internal organs. Shiitake, Miatake, Portobello and even button mushrooms all contain natural medicines. They’ve been shown to reduce some of the worst side effects of treatment such as hair loss and nausea. They boost immunity, increase survival rates, and studies reported that they shrank certain cancerous tumors by as much as 70%.

Purple Foods

No one talks about purple foods and we should! Purple eggplant, dark purple grapes, beets, blueberries, plums, and cherries all contain massive amounts of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have been proven in countless studies to kill cancer cells. Other benefits include supporting internal organs and boosting immunity. Recent studies show anthocyanins compounds are easily absorbed by the body and immediately begin defending the body against diseases that result from poor diet and negative lifestyle habits.

*Surgery, in addition to the appropriate chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are effective in treating early cancer, but certain patients in late stage of cancer may not be tolerate surgery well as they can be relatively weak. A combination of carefully planned minimally invasive therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy can effectively reduce the side effects and discomfort of treatment and may help patient get better efficacy.