Mice, Mets, and Margaritas

Bestbird

After gazing longingly at a bottle of wine this evening and deciding not to open it because alcohol isn't supposed to be so good for ER+bc, I stumbled across this study.

Bottom line: Consumption of High alcohol protected (mice) against metastasis, as High-consuming mice typically had 65-75 % fewer metastases compared to Water-drinking controls.  From:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23117853

Note: I am NOT advocating drinking, as many studies have indicated that it may be wise to abstain from or limit alcohol.  But, in future, whenever I go weak at the knees for a fine glass of red, I'll think of this study and raise a glass to all the mice who saw things my way!

MaryLW

Great study! Seriously, though, I've cut back on alcohol, but I still have a glass of wine or beer occasionally. If I knew for sure that it was harmful, I'd stop altogether, but for now, I'm continuing a few of the things that I like!

sueopp

Cheers, Bestbird!    SUE

exbrnxgrl

I think the enjoyment gained from the occasional glass of wine greatly enhances QOL and probably won't have much of an effect on bc. Stage IV is crappy enough, why deprive yourself of a bit of joy now and then? I bet the mice would agree.

Caryn

Rosevalley

Let us raise a glass for the dear mice who paved the way!! What better excuse to enjoy a glass?? Great post!

Moderators

Interesting study, Bestbird.

There are some suggestions in the Drinking Alcohol article at the main Breastcancer.org site. It also says "...if you plan to continue drinking, try to have two or fewer alcoholic drinks per week." So there's certainly room for it as part of that occasional celebration!

We're glad for the mice! 

SophieJean

I'm a proponent of the no rules for stage 4 folk or for mice :-)

An interesting tidbit - wine drinkers are more likely to be er+, abstainers er-. I think, in my perverted logic that I'd like to stay er+........so.........

It's my story and I'm sticking to it ...lol.

Sophie

Iwillwinthisbattle

I'm with the QOL thinkers! There are a million things that can "cause cancer". I say...eat, drink and be merry!!!

Frapp

I'm with you, IWWTB. I lead a healthy life and that didn't help. I know people out there smoking their cigs and can barely see over the shearing wheel cause they are so old they are loosing their stature. WTH, why bother. Might as well go for the QOL.



Pat

Heidihill

Here's my story: I drink wine for stronger bones.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2050470/A-glass-wine-day-strengthens-bones-beer-effect.html

chrissyb

I'm with the majority here......I have the occasional glass of wine and thoroughly enjoy every last drop!  I say bottoms up!

fujiimama

I had a Pastor that had this posted on his filing cabnet "Eat right, exercise daily, die anyway" He's had his own cancer story. Here's to a nightcap.

gonegirl

If only I could drink. Sigh. Guess you all and the mice will have to drink for me. Instead I have cake. :-)

dbla

I asked my Doc whether I could drink an occasional glass of wine or whatnot. His response: "We're keeping you alive; you might as well enjoy it!"

See why I love my Doc?

And those mice?

DivineMrsM

I'm partial to the occasional margarita myself.  Never drank much; one reason being I often wake with a headache after even just one or two drinks.  That's probably a good thing because sometimes I think I could just drink one fruity alcoholic drink after another if I wanted to.  

CarlaK

I intend to go back to having a glass of wine occasionally, as soon as it tastes good again! When my tastebuds are back I'm probably going to gain 10 pounds

SonnyB

A couple of months ago sueopp posted info on a study.  The  conclusion:

"Overall alcohol consumption before diagnosis was not associated with disease-specific survival, but we found a suggestion favoring moderate consumption. There was no evidence for an association with postdiagnosis alcohol intake and breast cancer survival. This study, however, does provide support for a benefit of limited alcohol intake for cardiovascular and overall survival in women with breast cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23569314

I plan to continue with the occasional glass of wine and/or margarita!

pajim

I'm in the QOL group.  My docs know this -- they know better to ask if something is preventing me from eating.  They ask whether it's preventing me from drinking, and if so, we're in trouble.

(sounds like I'm an alcoholic, I'm not -- but I like to drink wine and i'm not going to give it up).

Salute!

Bestbird

I was so inspired by athe responses that when my husband and I went to an Italian restaurant last night, I ordered a lovely glass of Petit Syrah and toasted the wonderful mice who made this possible!

Also, wonderful info about the possible relationship between ER+, strong bones, and wine! 

Cheers to all!

stagefree

Cheers indeed, Bestbird. I already revised my famous cancer diet by adding "enjoying anything & everything in moderation". Happier than ever, since dx of course. 

hugs, Ebru

diana50

Love reading all these responses.



Thank you mice.



Toast to all of us. I say live life. Yep.

MSL

Bump!

As a newly diagnosed, I must say red wine has helped me through thelast weeks......

Hope the lessons from these tipsy mice remain relevant in late 2016....!

Bestbird

MSL, If we lived closer, it would be a pleasure to raise a couple of glasses together for a toast!

ABeautifulSunset

if I was a mouse, that's the study I would have wanted to be a part of !