Eating disorder anyone?

Bliz

I had some pretty bizarre eating habits when I was younger and wondered if there was any BC connection.  Have read about some famous folks with eating disorders that later got cancer.

I have eaten very healthfully probably the last 25 years or so, but always wonder about the past.

badboob67

Bliz

I have wondered the same thing myself. I have a history of anorexia and bulimia. I haven't seen any formal studies that suggest a connection, but surely an eating disorder has a negative impact on body systems. My thinking is that there really isn't any one thing that we can point at as a cause.

Bliz

I was bulimic, many, many years ago for a short time and probably didnt have the best eating habits before and after that.  But like I said, for the past 25 years or so, I have eaten very healthfully. 

So much of eating disorders is done in secret, I doubt they could ever get a study together on it.  People will protect those behaviors forever.  Seems to be so much shame attached.  Hey, the shame could be bad on your body, too.

badboob67

You are so right, bliz.  The cruel irony of the matter for me is that I FINALLY learned to accept my body and even appreciate it just months before my diagnosis of bc and mets.  ICK  I must say, though, that I must have really made headway in the area of acceptance because I really haven't had much problem (other than comfort and convenience) with the removal of one of my breasts.

I think that a history of eating disorders would have at least some impact on metabolic processes, so that is a possible link. 

Bliz

It's kind of ironic for me too.  I felt healthwise I was at my best in the last 10 or so years.  Emotionally, I felt I had made great strides too.  It was like I had finally become at peace with so many things and was living life to the fullest.  Then, bammy!!!

Trying to be positive and move beyond it though.

Life is strange, sometimes.  Lots of twists and turns.

Rosie8

I didn't develop an eating disorder until I had finished my chemo for breast cancer.  Now I am bulimic.  I have never had an eating disorder before, but throw up daily, and feel much better once I have done so.  So here I am, 50, and I have now got not only the cancer shadow behind me, but the struggle of the bulimia.  I come from a small rural community, and cant find help for this.  Suggestions?

digger

Rosie,

A really good online discussion board for eating disorders is something fishy.org.  It's very well moderated, extremely positive, and it's helped me a lot. 

apple

best ;of luck Rosie 8....

i suffered for years from anorexia and bulemia.. I just couldn't get my head straight till I was about 30... so maybe 12 years.. it was awful.  People are not so judgemental these days.  One of my greatest hopes is that my daughter never suffers from this.  She seems to be doing great.. proud of her little curves with a natural appetite for athletes.

11BC

Bliz: How are you doing? 

Bliz/All: Thanks for starting this conversation. 

Here are some interesting links:

Cancer drug helps combat eating disorder (I'm not sure when this was published)

Anorexia nervosa and cancer risk (2001 study)