BC and connection to sugar???

LINDAGARSIDE

BC and connection to sugar???

LINDAGARSIDE

I've recently been diagnosed with IDC.  Surgery (hopefully) soon.  Just completed an MRI.  My question for everyone is this:  Have you found any connection to your cancer and the amount of sugar you ingest?  Or, to sugar and the growth or spreading of cancer?  I have quite a sweet tooth and have had to battle my sugar addiction most of my life.  I notice as well that I do not have "flushes" from menopause when I have very low sugar intake...but when I eat more sugar...like now at Christmas, I have more flushes...especially at night.  My cancer is 100% estrogen fed so then I started to think that sugar is feeding my cancer as my estrogen seems to pick up big time as a result of sugar?  As I noted initially...I am a "newbie" and I apologize if my questions are insulting...as perhaps it is quite obvious that there is a direct connection?  Thanks everyone.  P.S.  I am immediately cutting down on sugar and starting to use Splenda...but then I wonder about splenda as well....oh my..................

elimar86861

It seems to be controversial.  I've noticed that websites promoting sugar alternatives seem to blame sugar for a vast number of things.  Some might actually be true.  I do have a sweet tooth, and also had IDC that was a small slow growing tumor, with ER/PR in the 90%.  I'm am sure there are those out there who are very good about restricting their sugar that had large, fast growing tumors.  If you get a lot of responses, I really don't know if you could conclude anything for the empirical data.  

As far as sugar and hot flashes...I haven't noticed that before myself.  Now, I'm on Tamoxifen, so even if there is a rise in estrogen, I hope the Tamox. is doing a good job of keeping it blocked in any of the receptors that might need blocking.

If you are up for it, try Googling and see what you come up with.

Anonymous

Linda - I have heard that too, although I think if it were true, then diabetics would have a much higher rate of cancer as they have high blood sugar, or glucose levels.  I know my blood glucose level is low and I got breast cancer, so....

However, I think it is always a good idea to try and eat healthy, which would include limiting sugar.

I have been thrown into menopause (thanks to chemo!) and noticed that I had more hot flashes at the holiday parties we attended.  In general, I do not drink but had one drink at each party (actually did not eat any of the desserts, but had veggies and cheese) and BOY did I have a few hot flashes.  I was contributing them to alcohol, but I don't know.  

Good luck on your sugery and the rest of this cancer treatment.

Keep posting!  You will get great support here!

LJ13-2

There is no "relationship" between cancer and sugar. "Sugar" in the form of glucose is what every cell in your body uses for energy, including cancer cells. Cancer cells use glucose faster, since there entire metabolism is faster. That is why tumors glow on PET scans.

Eating lots of sugary foods will not make cancer grow faster, and eating less sugary food will not slow down cancer growth. Only inasmuch as sugar leads to weight gain, which increases fat composition of the body, which in turn fuels estrogen production. 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-causes/CA00085/NSECTIONGROUP=2 

LINDAGARSIDE

Thank you for your comments.  In my case, sugar has definitely added to my weight gain and increased fat...which is fueling estrogen production for sure.  If only we could turn the clock back...oh well...onwards and forward....a new battle calls for new armor.  As of this moment, I will make healthy choices for food consumption.  Thank you again.

tkone

Linda,

I have no scientific evidence to back up my decisions, but after having the Pet Scan and realizing that cancer cells preferred sugar as their meal of choice, I gave up sugar immediately.  I also gave up most sugar substitutes and all corn syrup.  In general if I have something that has any type of sweetener, it is honey or molasses or maybe cane juice. 

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I'm going to keep it up. 

Good luck with your decisions.

Tracy

barbe1958

Tracy, sugar is sugar in any form. Honey and molasses have sugar! Fruits have a TON of sugar in them. Bananas are one of the worst. Carrots and beets are bad as well.

The confusion lies in the term glucose which is used in scans. When the cancer cells "pick up" the glucose people are under the misunderstanding that it means cancer likes sugar. Glucose is picked up by all cells in your body (as noted above) but the cancer cells are so rapidly growing that they take up the most the fastest.

If you're going to drop sugar from your diet be sure to include the fruits, vegetables and berries that have high levels. Alcohol is VERY high in sugar.

konakat

Muscle activity also soaks up glucose -- that's why you lie around for about an hour before a PET.  And are advised to not exercise the day before.  Once my neck muscles started cramping during a PET and did they glow on the scan results!!  Cells taking up glucose is a very normal thing.

vivre

LindaGarside-Estrogen is stored in our fat cells and excess estrogen promotes bc. In my case, giving up sugar allowed me to lose a lot of weight, and mostly in the midriff area, which is exactly where it causes us the most problems. All I can say is that I notice a difference now when I do eat sweets. My breasts become sore, indicting that there is some estrogen activity going on, so I really try to be a good girl, though I am no martyr. As for the fruit, the carbs we get in fruits do not spike our insulin levels as those from refined sugars so they do not cause the problems that eating cakes and cookies do. I do believe we need to eat fruits,   in moderation, but I try to balance it by eating nuts or taking some cinnamon which balances insulin levels and does not give me the sugar buzz and then the let down that refined sugars do. I know that gving up sugar has made a huge difference in the way I feel and in my health. I hope you will be able to make this committment too. You will love the results. The best side effect I got from giving up the sweets was going from a size 12 to a size 6.

LINDAGARSIDE

This makes excellent sense.  I am absolutely giving up refined sugar.  Thank you very much...and contratulations on improving your health.  I will keep everyone posted as to my resolve and results.  LOL.  Wish me luck everyone...this isn't going to be easy for a girl who loves her jelly beans.

barbe1958

With all due respect ladies, the sucrose in fruit or a cookie react in your body the same way. It's the other crap in the cookie that hurts you. Diabetics have to monitor fruit intake very strictly. High fructose corn syrup is possilby the leading cause of excess body weight in North America. Other countries using regular sugar do not have the same obestity levels.

Glucose is needed for energy, but too much of anything is bad for you. If you can't "use it up" fast enough, then it is stored in body fat for later use.

Congrats on losing the weight Vivre! You are helping your body tremendously by giving it less storage area for estrogen.

vivre

Linda, I do wish you good luck. Remember it takes at least 2 weeks to break a habit so do not get frustrated. You will be surprised how little you will even want to eat all the sugar once your body adjusts. I just went cold turkey. When I started to feel so much better, that was the motivation I needed to keep going. As I said, weight loss was the good side effect. I never thought of it as a diet and that I was denying myself anything. I just thought of eating for my health. I eat more now than I use to, every couple of hours. I just keep it to small amounts and try to eat more veggies. My favorite lunch is a whole avocado with salsa. Yes I know avocado is high fat, but it is the good kind, and very filling. I do not count calories, I just eat what I want to, as long as it is healthy. We are what we eat. I guess that means I am just not as sweet as  I use to be, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Barbe, I agree that high fructose corn syrup is public enemy number one. It is so hard to find food without it. It makes me furious. I love cereal, and try to find high fiber ones because it keeps me regular, but they put that crap in almost all of them. Yes, diabetics have to be careful with all carbs, including fruit, but my point was that fruit does not promote fat cells the way refined sugars do because it takes longer to go through the body, and its energy is used up more slowly. As I said, I use nuts and cinnamon to counterbalance the sugar effects of fruits, although I tend to eat more veggies than fruit. I do believe in the adage of an apple a day and I love to take an apple in the car with me. I always take a couple of cinnamon capsules everyday. If I get hungry when I am out, I eat the apple. This tides me over and I am not ravenously eating anything the minute I walk in the door. It also keeps me from the temptation of getting fast food. I have only had one hamburger since dx, over 2 years ago, and I did not even like it, I was just really hungry and needed something quick. I use to love a McD cheeseburger now and then. Now I cannot even stand the thought of one. The high glucose in the bun is what really turns me off.

barbe1958

Vivre, you have inspired me to cut sugar out! I have spent today eating up what is left...hehehehe. Seriously though, I like the idea of weight loss. I went on a high protein low carb diet for 5 months and didn't lose an ounce (though I was on Lyrica - and the docs denied it had anything to do with it!) BUT my brother lost 75 pounds!!!!!! ARgh!!!

I haven't had alcohol for over a year, with no weight loss (my "deal" with God) so I've been getting my sugar through crap. I'm not a fast food eater at all so I'm lucky. My lunch is left overs from the night before. I'm not a coffee drinker or smoker so I don't need a fix everyday. I wonder what I'll yearn for.....?

So, I hereby, write down my commitment to cut sugar from my diet! Wish me luck.

LINDAGARSIDE

Barb and Vivre...thank you so much.  You've both inspired me not to give up.  Today is day one and I brought in a pan of Nanaimo Bars to work.  I couldn't bare to throw them away...and so I am letting others (who seem to know how to have balance in their lives) eat on them.  I've not had one.  And I didn't put sugar or sugar substitute in my coffee this morning.  UGHHHH...but yahooo as well.  Onwards and upwards...right?

I called the surgeon and they do not have my MRI tests back yet (I had an MRI on the 23rd)...hope to review the results soon...

Thanks and Happy New Year!!

vivre

Barb and Linda, I am so happy you are both motivated. I think that getting my weight under control was the MOST preventive thing I did. I ahd stuggled with it my whole life. I never thought I could lose the baby fat, much less the menopause pounds that crept up on me. But healthy eating finally made the difference. We all got bc for different reasons and none of us can know what is the biggest reason, but I know that trying to figure it out has been enpowering for me.  Instead of sitting around wondering if the other shoe is going to drop, I feel that I am winding my way through maze like my son's ninendo game, Zelda. As I go along, I learn something new and pick up a new weapon that will lead me to victory. Cutting out sugar and diary were the first two lessons I learned. Then I learned about the right supplements to take (Vit D is number 1), then I started getting blood and urine tests to determine my deficiences. Now I take iodine, which has made an incredible difference in the way I feel, and in my confidence that I am beating this thing.I am also doing hormone balance. And my walks have helped me to conquer all the emotional crap. I am just about to the last level of Zelda and feel great. It is not game over, it is game won in my opinion. I hope you all conquer the maze too!

vivre

Oh, one more thing, Barb, you said you still did not lose weight on a low carb diet. Do you exercise? I have always loved to do sports, but after bc, I added strength training with yoga and free weights. Building muscle mass revs your metabolism. I lift free wts 3 nights a week for an hour just watching TV. Iodine also raises metabolism. If the thyroid is out of whack, it is really hard to lose weight. Check out the info on the iodine thread here. And the other metabolism booster is coconut oil. Believe it or not, it energizes you. It is the only thing I use on my skin. Just do not slather  a lot on before bed. I was doing that for a while and could not get to sleep! Then I read how it raises metabolism, and stopped using much, and I could sleep again with no problem. And finally green tea is a metabolism booster and great for wt loss and an antioxidant to boot. I did not like it at first, but now I love it and drink a whole pot every day, about 5 cups. There are lots of great flavors. I like mandarin orange the best. Of course, do not add any sugar! As I said, these are all new habits you have to get use to, and it takes about 2 weeks to change a habit and develop a new one. I cannot stand missing days of not exercising now. It is such a habit. Just give yourself time. You will gradually feel so much better, and you will not look back.

LINDAGARSIDE

Hi there, 

We received the MRI results and everything looks good.  I'm so happy.  They did find what they believe is a "benign appearing lymph node in the axillary tail of the left breast" but that is odd as my cancer is in the right breast.  I have a surgery date as well...it is July 8th at 12:45 p.m.  My guess is that they will do a biopsy during the surgery for the left node. 

I know that only the surgery for sure will say what stage I'm at...however the MRI does seem promising, don't you think?

I really like what Vivre wrote regarding getting through the maze and picking up weapons.  One of the weapons I've picked up today is confidence.  I am going to remain confident that I can get ahead of this and move forward.

Thanks, everyone. 

vivre

Linda, here is another little thing that got me thinking that nutrition was a big deal. When I was dx, I was in a total walking fog. I could not eat or sleep, but instinct told me to eat healthy foods. I hated the thought of this thing inside me and I wanted to make sure it did not grow. I started living on oatmeal and salad and I started walking like a crazy woman. I had to wait almost 3 agonizing weeks before surgery, because I had so many tests they wanted to run, my surgeon was going to a conference, etc. Well guess what, my tumor shrunk 2 cm in those 3 weeks! I was so afraid it might grow because they said if it grew 2 cm I  would be stage 2 and need chemo, and I ended up shrinking the damn thing! That was all I needed to convince me that I could affect my own outcome.

barbe1958

Linda, I'm hoping you mean JANUARY 8th..... 

Vivre, I have so many arthritis issues as well as Fibromyalgia and bulging disks that I don't exercise, though I walk and stand 8 hours a day at work. I drive for 2 hours there and back so I'm usually exhausted when I get home. But I do a lot of work around the house and I am very strong. I just need to tone.

As a side note, not to belittle your experience, but, a tumour is often a different size once taken out as the MRI can't predict exactly how big it is. That's why you aren't staged until it comes out.

LINDAGARSIDE

Hi Vivre and Barbe...yes, I mean January 8th...LOL...I was so excited that I put the wrong month in...what the heck...they both start with a J.

What do you two think about the benign looking thing in my left breast?  Is this common?  I'm hoping they just get rid of it as well....why not?  I will be under and won't feel it.

I'm off to work....talk to you both soon...take care....and good news on the oatmeal...I love oatmeal!

happy29

Hello- this is such an inetersting topic. I am a sugar/carb addict!!! a serious sugar/carb freak. I love sweet candy- always have and since I became vegetarian 17 years ago- i reduced fat and protein but gained sugar/carbs (we know digestion breaks down carbs to sugar)  I hate I had BC and know I need to change diet. I am reading a lot about  increase insulin also increases estrogen in body. well I increase insulin about 10 times a day. I am reading "Protein Power" and it discusses role of insulin (Huge Role) . not sure if I can stay vergetarian on this high protein diet (also reading SOY is not good for me) 

Most interesting- I have had a seroma since early September . I just started this high protein/low carbs a week ago. 3 days now my seroma disappeared! I read that when insulin /hormone levels are balanced (not increased by carbs/sugar) - your body gets rid of excess fluid.  I just hope it stays away. .... it is motivating me to stay on this high protein way of life- one day at a time.....

Anonymous

What about yeast?

happy29

 I  know  that when you become insulin resistant- (when pancreas pumps out a lot of insulin -when you eat sugar /carbs) it changes your balance of hormones, which also increases yeast infections. i have always been prone to yeast infections.

 Not sure if this helps or what you were asking..

Anonymous

Never had yeast infections, but yes sugar leads to that.  Count me in as someone who the MRI said 3 cm and it was actually 1.5cm.  I think it is HARD to predict actual size - kind of like my sisters ultrasound that said her baby was underweight but in actuality was 9 pounds - 3 pound difference!

Simple sugars really are good to avoid - not good for us in general, but I will say as I have said before if high blood sugar was the culprit - every diabetic would have bc.

I have low blood sugar yet had bc.  

Anonymous

I mean, I read somewhere that the yeast consumption from bread or other foods may fuel the cancer cells. Yeast infection is something else...

Thanks.

happy29

sorry not sure about the yeast comsumption...

I agree with you Aprilgirl....

 I clearly have a genetic link (although not BCRA) to cancer......it is bigger than low sugar to me

but... if sugar intake increases my insulin and increases estrogen and estrogen promotes cancer cells to grow and divide... Makes sense to keep insulin in balance to me to decrease chances of recurrance  or new cancer     i think.....

Celtic_Spirit

I asked my onc about sugar and cancer. She said sugar does not feed cancer.

Flamin_nora

Coincidentally, I will be attending a scientific conference next week at McGill University where one of the researchers is presenting on "Nutrition and cancer cells...why cancer cells are addicted to sugar".  Pretty catchy title, isn't it.    I'll report back to everyone after the conference...hopefully will be able to clarify the issue

Anonymous

I agree - overall -even though my blood sugar is on the low side of average and I still got BC with no family history (like most of us) I make an effort to eat low glycemic foods.  Actually, I have made an effort to eat low glycemic foods even prior to BC and also ate mainly organic - go figure!

 Nora - can't wait to hear what they say at McGill!

happy29

I have not asked my onc about this connection.....

 Yes Please Flamin Nora- bring back your knowledge to us cant wait to hear....