I remembered that I'd made a similar request of specialist doctors as I was about to be treated for throat cancer more than five years ago. One suggested the Mediterranean diet, although he and the others seemed to be bemused by the request. They, after all, put their faith in modern medicine and so, I'm afraid, do I.

The only knowledge I have of cancer-fighting stuff, I told my friend, is that it is all crap! And that goes for prayers to a certain saint in waiting. But fighting cancer is a big fight and so we're all keen to do our bit to help. Indeed, fighting just the cancer diagnosis is a big fight too, given our dread of the word.

I think do have something positive from my own experience to offer people about to endure the treatment, a treatment that is often uniquely harrowing. And that is the importance of looking upon the treatment as the cure. I know it is such a simple offering but I have noticed that some people do not regard their treatment as a cure, that some even resent it. Not only did my belief in the cure help me endure the treatment, I was able to see setbacks, and there were more than a few, as just one step to be overcome by two steps forward.

I don't know that there is a link between a positive outlook and the success of a medical treatment, but I do know that a collapse of spirit when the treatment gets tough can be a serious handicap.

If you were asked by a friend for advice in fighting cancer, what would you say?