Changes you've made to prevent recurrence

Kay_G

Eli, not sure if you read the anti cancer book, but this is what it said that makes sense to me. There are a lot of factors which influence cancer. One, which we have absolutely no control over is genetics. They have shown in mice, that there are some mice that even though you inject cancer in them, it will not grow. They presume there are people like that as well. Unfortunately, none of us are there. The second premise with it, is that some of us can have cancer cells in us, but they just lay dormant because the "environment" is not right to flourish. The way to keep the environment unfriendly to cancer is to eat right, exercise, eliminate as much stress as possible, yada, yada. The instance that really sold me on this was the story of a lady that had stage one melanoma on her hand. They supposedly got it all, she finished treatment and was fine. Fifteen years later she was in a car crash. Her kidneys were donated. The two recipients of her kidneys both developed melanoma cancer in the transplanted kidneys. Organ recipients have to take immune suppressants so they will not reject the donated organ. His theory was that the immune system being suppressed allowed the cancer to grow. I just have a hard time believing what is good for general health would not also help with cancer. I am not saying you have complete control over it, but I do think it would improve your chances. I know there are some of us that are going to get a recurrence despite being the healthiest people around. But I think there are some of us that could get a recurrence, but can get more time before it or even never get it by doing things right. It makes sense to me. BTW, my DH is a doctor (as is the author of anti cancer) and he believes this. He doesn't 100% believe about the grass fed beef and organic vegetables, but humors me on that. I haven't really asked my onc or other docs about it. The only things they said to me are all things in moderation. And the RO did say a little soy was okay, but not to go crazy on it. I know the jury is still out on that.

elimar86861

Eating wiser certainly makes you feel better.  I just can't quite make the jump about it being preventative for cancer.  I guess all things are possible.  One day (but it may not be too soon in coming) there will be more scientific studies on nutrition and cancer.  Despite how I am writing, I think there is hope for natural remedies for some illnesses.  Not sure if cancer falls into that group.

Interesting story about the organ-transplanted melanoma.  However, the recipients were very sick from their kidney disease to begin with, and probablty had breakdown of many body functions because of it.  Maybe the immuno-suppressors played a part, maybe not.  It's not like they could ever test it against a healthy person receiving a melanoma kidney, taking the same meds., and wait to see if that person got the melanoma.  Did they ever do something like that in mice?   In those two receiving kidney transplants maybe it still comes down to something genetic.  

Kay_G

That's true about the recipients. What I was more interested in was the donor. She presumably had the cancer cells in her for fifteen years, why didn't it ever grow to a tumor? I guess it could just be genetics in that case as well.

blondiex46

Got diagnosed in 1996 @ 40, 2 years after having twins.....lumpectomy, radiation and chemo....didn't change a thing......Recurrence came 15 years later, and found out my biological mother died of a recurrence of breast cancer and she died 3 months after the diagnoses of the recurrence...so I figure it didn't matter what I did it would have happened anyway.  Now am not denying myself anything.....eat what I want....for me having cancer is bad enough without not having and eating what I want....I do not know what causes cancer think it is enviromental and genetic, and possibly the foods we eat.....but will continue to do what I do.   I applaud people that change their lifestyle, in eating, exercising etc....but for me, I feel like it would have happened anyway...

elimar86861

Like those mice, some people seem to have a better cellular defense than others.

elimar86861

I know the idea is to change what we CAN change, so the question becomes, "Is that enough?"  Here is where the personal beliefs come in.  Guinea Pigs-R-Us, as I sometimes say.

Kay_G

Yeah, but she did have stage 1 cancer on her skin. It is above my pay grade, but interesting.

CherylinOhio

Just saw plastic surgeon he has recommended DIEP surgery then implants if I want them. Anyone else who has had this procedure done? I too have changed my ways. Stop smoking, stop coffee, start green tea. I put flax seed in my tea and my yogurt. I exercise and take multi vitamins and have recently started on Tamoifin. I hope this all helps. I am still in the WTF anger stage. I am trying to stay positive but keep getting back to "I'm not going to survive this".  I have a hard time staying positive.

Kay_G

There's a DIEP 2011 forum you should check out.  I had the surgery on Aug. 17 for one breast only.  I would recommend it.  I am not sure why he would talk about implants too though.  I thought it was one or the other, either you have DIEP or you have implants.  I don't think you would get both.

LuvLulu07

So much to think about and for me, to agonize over - organic vs. non-organic - caffeine - alcohol - sugar - red meat - soy?  Geez ........ 

Does anybody know what the thinking on the soy connection is?  I have a feeling that this might have something to do with my diagnosis this year, and missed the previous few years.    

elimar86861

joyh,  Do a search with "soy" plus "estrogen" and/or "ER+" as the keywords and I think you will find lots in the threads that already exist.

Kay_G

The thinking is that soy contains estrogen, so some doctors stay to stay away from soy if you have estrogen positive breast cancer.  But they're really not sure.

TectonicShift

So much conflicting and confusing out there. My onc showed me the Sloan Kettering herbs page:

http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/about-herbs#S

Interestingly (and frustratingly), they say ER+ women should avoid flax seed, hops, and reservatrol -- but not necessarily soy. 

I was taking lots of flax seed until I read this. 

seacretgardn

It is all very confusing. Since my dx I have had to give up many of the supplements I believe (and know) improved my well-being, many which might have increased bleeding during surgery, other antioxidants that may interfere with chemo. I was a firm believer in flax, it not only helped my digestion, but improved my dry skin and hair and ended my night sweats.



After eliminating flax, I got a period after 1 year, (I'm 53), and am back to the drenching sweats.



And still nothing conclusive to prove I shouldnt continue with ER+ bc.



Laura

LuvLulu07

elimar    Thanks for the link on soy.   

Seems like there are no absolutes - maybe that's a good thing.  I was feeling great pre-diagnosis, and was living a pretty healthy life style.  So it's confusing on what to change or modify.  It's a pisser - I watch my elderly parents continue a life style of lots of alcohol , crappy hi fat diet, little exercise, and I'm the one that gets cancer?!?!?  Really????     

Anita333

Hi Ladies,

in order of my priorities:

1. no sugar, no added salt to cooking or on the table, nothing with white flour, no dairy, nothing processed.

2. one freshly made green juice a day (made with a combination of some of these: kale, spinach, red beets, apple, orange, carrots, ginger, garlic, parsley,...)

3. 95% organic fruits and veggies; organic chicken breast, fish several times a week (mostly salmon) organic eggs, emu steak, elk or bison 

4. walking at least 15000 steps a day. eliptical 10 - 20 min a day

5. positive thinking, praying and being more sensitive (in a positive way) to what happens around me

6. not stressing about everything

7. vitamin D 5000iu a day, Calcium, COQ10,  Vitamib B complex

8. regularly (like 5/7 days) using  turmeric, garlic, berries, oatmeal, flaxseeds (2tsp), chia seeds (1tsp) 

9. after the radiations are over (just started my first treatement today 1/30) will increase my exersizes and start swimming and take my bicycle for a ride :-)

mamabee

Posy, I didn't know about resveratrol being a problem for er+ cancer either, but there's a new, very preliminary, study that suggests it could be a cancer fighter, especially for er+ women. This blog discusses it with a link to the study

http://healthandwine.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-information-on-resveratrols-breast.html

 I definitely enjoyed my red wine pre-diagnosis. But my tumor is 95% er+ and I was actually awakened in the middle of the night by my tumor hurting after having a couple of glasses of wine at Thanksgiving, so I think the alcohol-estrogen link has some validity for me. I will be avoiding alcohol from now on.

 There's so much good info in this thread - thank you everyone for sharing! 

SheChirple

Ironically, I was diagnosed after spending 3 years on a journey of lifestyle change and have never been healthier in my life. So, no post diagnosis changes for me.

In the three years prior to diagnosis, I lost 125 lbs through stringent diet and exercise, eating healthier though not organic, exercising regularly, having a better outlook and attitude, putting myself first for a change, focusing on family, etc... I have never been in a better place.  I will simply continue with this new lifestyle as I feel good about it.

everyminute

http://healthland.time.com/2011/12/08/study-cutting-carbs-two-days-a-week-is-better-than-full-time-dieting/?artId=48642?contType=article?chn=us

another study about weight loss/insullin/diet, etc from San Antonio

mkw1

I decided today to join weight watchers online. I had a hard time following a balanced diet and the right portion control. I will try to start walking this week, though I do not like to walk in the cold weather.

Rachel1

Bump

dreaming

I had a very healthy upbringing, all in moderation, etc,etc, but like the 80% plus I ended with breast cancer, I never tanned,or like the outdoors,or natural blond but I had skin cancer, mind you that nobody in my family has had any illnesses.

I think that if one lives in moderation,do not became a fanatic or follower of fads, one is doing the best that they can.

Breast cancer in not preventable like cervical cancer,throat, or anus.

I do no not like to think that we brought on us the first time or the second. It just happens. Lets not blame the patient, there is no proof of anything that can lower or raise risks for the first time or recurrences.

Now in my next life, I will tan, drink and smoke ,eat anything , and I bet I will healthy as a horse.

 For now I have not changed my way of life, eat the same, and do not get thoughts of recurrences or anything negative in my life including people.