New Delhi: Last month, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu attempted to expand his repertoire by suggesting that turmeric, neem leaves, fasting, and other herbs could cure advanced-stage cancer. However, his remarks drew sharp criticism from oncologists at the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), who swiftly intervened to prevent another “Coronil moment” of unscientific medical claims. Following the backlash, Sidhu issued a clarification, stating that the proposed diet plan was implemented as a “sahyogi prakriya” (supportive therapy) alongside conventional cancer treatment, in consultation with his wife’s doctors.Although the dust is settling in the case as the Delhi HC rejected to entertain a PIL seeking medical reports of his wife and guarded him by observing that the former cricketer “was just voicing his opinion,” but the larger question still hinges in front of around 1.5 million active cancer patients in the country and the entire society that does dietary choices, practices and plans can influence or support cancer cure or even to an extent its prevention?
Numerous studies worldwide are exploring the link between nutritional choices and cancer cures, but researchers have yet to yield definitive results. However, according to the U.S.-based National Institutes of Health (NIH), dietary interventions have demonstrated the potential to reduce cancer growth, progression, and metastasis in various solid tumor models. These interventions also show promise in improving cancer outcomes, as seen in early-phase clinical studies.
However, these preliminary evidence comes with a caveat that much more substantiated evidence is required before incorporating them into various treatment guidelines, a fact also highlighted in the cautionary note by 262 oncologist from the Tata memorial Hospital which stated that the claims have no high quality evidence and urged patients to rather rely on standard therapies and consult an expert.
Uncovering this link with respect to Indian demographics, Dr Divya Choudhary, Chief Dietician, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) said,”Nutrition plays a vital role because during treatment, maintaining an ideal body weight is crucial as medication dosages are weight-dependent. Uncontrolled weight loss can reduce treatment tolerance, prolong recovery, and increase complications. Also, if the patient is not losing weight, muscle mass will not go down, and this is an important factor in predicting the outcome of cancer treatment.”
“However, if the patient is consistently losing weight, they are likely to lose lean body mass or muscle mass as well, which can lead to numerous complications. Hence, nutrition not only aids in cancer prevention but also enhances quality of life during and after treatment”, Dr Choudhary added.
Mentioning the advantages in taking more vegetables and limiting processed foods, Dr Sachin Almel, Section Head – Medical Oncology, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre said, “Options like cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and cauliflower contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that may protect against cancers such as colorectal and lung cancer. While limiting processed and red meats may reduce risks, particularly for colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
On the prevention aspect, Dr Harit Chaturvedi, a leading oncology expert who is currently the Chairman of Max Institute of Cancer care underlined that, “15-20 per cent of cancer cases are influenced by lifestyle factors like dietary, low BMI, so a balanced diet which is rich in fiber and color with low proportion of fats can play a crucial role in preventing cancer.”
As per experts the treatment used to treat cancer such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy often cause side effects such as nausea, appetite loss, taste changes, mouth ulcers etc. due to which it becomes difficult for patients to continue their daily diet routine.
To address such issue Dr Choudhary said “modifying the diet’s texture, consistency, and nutrient content to meet calorie and protein requirements is key to address such issues but at times special interventions may be required for instance in severe cases of patients with mouth ulcers due to head and neck radiation a Ryle’s tube may be inserted for feeding.”
Dr Alme echoed that these therapies often weaken the immune system and cause nutritional deficiencies, making it essential to maintain a balanced diet. Specific recommendations may include small, frequent meals, hydration, and avoiding foods that trigger discomfort or inflammation. For some, nutrient supplementation under medical supervision can help meet increased metabolic demands.
Dejecting the notions that certain meal choices affect the effectiveness of cancer treatment Dr Chaturvedi underscored that, “while the patient undergoes such therapies it is advised to reduce or even avoid spices, citrus fruits and in the post surgery period specific recommendations are being made based on the treatment and type of cancer.”
“There are certain supplements which are used to manage the side effects and complications in the post-surgery phase but in terms of dietary options there is nothing to support the effectiveness of cancer treatment”, he added.
Notably, at the recently concluded 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), researchers from Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine presented early research suggesting that metabolites from the ketogenic diet may enhance the effectiveness of CAR T cells in killing cancer, a cell-based immunotherapy widely considered as the future treatment of this this deadly disease.
Over the ongoing argument that timing of meals or fasting impact cancer treatment the experts clarified that practices like intermittent fasting or even fasting for long hours is neither prescribed nor suggested and these practices should not be regular or prolonged, as they can compromise the patient’s nutritional status.
Dr Alme, elaborated, “even though studies suggest intermittent fasting or fasting-mimicking diets may enhance the body’s response to cancer therapies by reducing inflammation and promoting healthy cell regeneration. But, such approaches should only be attempted under medical guidance, as excessive fasting can be harmful.”
Commenting over the other way around of the development that Is there any specific kind of diet which can make a person more prone to cancer the experts shared that diets which have high content of processed food, refined sugar and red meat and have been linked to an increased risk of cancers like pancreatic, colorectal, and breast cancer.
According to Dr Chaturvedi having a decent amount of non-veg content (around 15-20 per cent) in diet is fine but their excessive consumption is harmful for people and options like red meat are most dangerous and contribute to risk of additional cancer.
Dissecting the processed food segment, Dr Choudhary added, processed meats, commonly found in packaged and frozen forms due to convenience, have been linked to higher cancer risks. These meats are rich in nitrosamines, nitrites, and other compounds that are now proven to be carcinogenic and their regular consumption increases the chances of developing cancer.
Responding to the query that what could be the possible implications of following such treatment strategies as the one made by Navjot Singh Sidhu on cancer treatment of her wife stage 4 breast cancer the experts have unanimously called to avoid such advices citing that following such unsubstantiated suggestions can lead to severe consequences.
“It’s essential to understand that each individual’s nutritional requirements differ based on factors like gender, age, disease stage, and overall health. Relying on one supposed “superfood” or diet without scientific backing can mislead patients and cause them to neglect vital aspects of their treatment”, Dr Choudhary highlighted.
Extending to these concerns Dr Chaturvedi added that such mistakes may accentuate the side effects and take the patient away from standard care which can lead to much higher mortality and much poorer outcomes in the long run.
Apart from the direct implications, misinformation may delay effective treatment, worsen the disease, and lead to psychological and financial strain, Dr Alme added.
In summary, establishing dietary regimens as a primary cancer cure or treatment strategy remains a distant goal. In a country where many people struggle to access qualified medical experts, recommending such diets without credible data can have serious consequences for both patients and the prescribers. Sidhu appears to have learned this the hard way, facing an ₹850 crore notice from the Chhattisgarh Civil Society (CCS) and the complete derailment of his publicity efforts.
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