Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol / Ergocalciferol)

Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) – Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol / Ergocalciferol)

Before you read thisThis information is designed to help you understand how vitamins work in the body and how certain NET-related factors might affect them. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Every NET patient is different — tumour type, treatments, surgery, symptoms, and nutritional needs can vary widely.If you have concerns about vitamin levels, supplements, or symptoms, please speak with your NET clinical team. They can assess your individual situation and guide you safely.   Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin (along with A, E and K).  Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed with the other fats from the food…
Read More
An ENETS Position Statement on nutritional support in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

An ENETS Position Statement on nutritional support in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

I've written many times about Nutrition and NETs - clearly it should say NENs (Neuroendocrine Neoplasms) as the issues also extend to Neuroendocrine Carcinomas.  I was helped in the early days by my friend and 'nutrition for NET' mentor Tara Whyand, at the time, probably the top NET Nutrition Registered Dietitian in the world.  Perhaps she still is. Much of what Tara said and wrote, and what I emphasised, particularly in my blog and my patient group, was that much of this was not fully integrated into NEN patient care as part of a multi disciplinary approach.  Many attempts have…
Read More
Neuroendocrine Cancer Nutrition Series Article 2 – Gastrointestinal Malabsorption

Neuroendocrine Cancer Nutrition Series Article 2 – Gastrointestinal Malabsorption

Neuroendocrine Cancer Nutrition Series Article 2 – Gastrointestinal Malabsorption is the second article in the Neuroendocrine Cancer Nutrition series. In the first article, I focused on Vitamin and Mineral deficiency risks for patients and there is a big overlap with the subject of Gastrointestinal Malabsorption. Those who remember the content will have spotted the risks pertaining to the inability to absorb particular vitamins and minerals. This comes under the general heading of Malabsorption and in Neuroendocrine Cancer patients, this can be caused or exacerbated by one or more of a number of factors relating to their condition. It's also worth pointing out that…
Read More
Neuroendocrine Cancer Nutrition Series Article 1 – Vitamin and Mineral Challenges

Neuroendocrine Cancer Nutrition Series Article 1 – Vitamin and Mineral Challenges

Always speak to your specialist before taking vitamin and mineral supplements.   Featuring Tara Whyand Vitamin deficiency is common in the general population so your issue may not be related to NET.  But read on to learn the risks for NET patients. Despite learning early on in my journey that nutrition was going to be a challenge, I sensed the initial focus of my treatment was on getting rid of as much tumour bulk as possible and then controlling (stabilising) the disease through monitoring and surveillance. Clearly I'm happy about that! However, it eventually became clear that the impact of this…
Read More
I now take food with my medicine!

I now take food with my medicine!

If you want to strike up a friendly conversion with a Brit, ask him or her about the weather - we're really famous for our weather conversations and they normally focus on rain or clouds!  However, despite the famous British 'reserve' and 'stiff upper lip', they also frequently talk about being 'under the weather', a phrase meaning slightly unwell or in low spirits.I find myself smiling at some of the conversations I hear in medical establishment waiting rooms, particularly the potentially long wait for blood tests.  Here, conversations bypass the weather and focus on being under the weather! I thought…
Read More