Physically active before dx and annoyed that I still got cancer

Anonymous

As a child, I was always outside, riding bikes, playing with the dog, climbing trees, throwing baseballs with my dad, etc. When I went to high school, I began eight years of competitive swimming. After college, I was physically active through a combination of swimming, walking, rock climbing, running and yoga. There was one year where I just stopped exercising completely (don't even know why), could the cancer have developed because of that one year? Probably not but I guess it's possible.

Despite this (and pretty decent health habits otherwise) I still got aggressive cancer at 28. I feel stabby whenever I see an article about how exercise is the best medicine against cancer. Then I wonder if I was exercising "wrong?" Did I not do enough cardio? Did I not do enough yoga to reduce inflammation in my body? Was it the chemicals in the pools I swam in?

I will continue to exercise for weight control and because it just plain makes me feel better. But I wish I could be more confident that I'm actually preventing a recurrence when I do it. Anyone else feel this way?

WinningSoFar

I have suspected for some time that our popular culture is trying to sell the idea that bc can be prevented by exercise, eating vegs, etc. etc. because people want to believe that. It's not true.

kristen2den

Hi winningsofar,

I have to smile at your post. I am someone who trained for three Olympic trials, all state athlete in my younger years, haven't had a soda or fast food in over 30 years, don't eat a lot of processed food, am super active compare to everyone in my family , and am the one to get hit with this disease now twice.

please don't let the DX change your views with health living. I do still get a kick out of the doctors who tell me to change my diet and exercise more... my usual reaction is - so how many triathlons did you do this year? when they say 0, I'll respond with "then the 8 I did last summer should have stopped this from happening correct?"

I don't believe they have all the science, I believe we have to do what is best for us- what is best for you to be happy. you have a long life ahead of you. do what feels right and stay the healthiest that you know how to be. I had to change a couple sports because of the lymphedema I have in my left arm, but the "research" says exercising the lymphatic arm is good, and my symptoms are less now that I am. and doing those sports again....

don't do it because you fell you have to, exercise because you love it and it provides joy in your life... happiness is a better drug for your body than anything else!

good luck, and maybe I'll see you in a pool soon!

rozem

excercise, diet etc are important but certainly do not protect us from BC. BC is just cells going haywire and they dont know why some of us have those faulty genes. I get pretty pissed when i get that msg too bc it implys that we did something to cause this. Not true at all. Random. Purely random. I was in the best shspe of my life prior to diagnosis.

I agree. Excercise for overall health and well being and it does help prevent many diseases (heart disease etc) and keeping our weight down is important for ER pos cancer

coraleliz

I agree that BC is most often random. I'm another exerciser, always have been. Eat healthy. Have never been overweight(always slightly underweight). Diet & exercise are suppose to prevent everything cancer, alzheimers, parkinsons, diabetes, heart disease, ...................perhaps sometimes they help. Just not for me, not this time. I keep exercising & eating healthy because that's all I know. It keeps me sane & makes me feel good.

Heidihill

There was a study recently (posted by cp418?) that suggested most cancer is due to random mutations or bad luck. But they didn't study breast cancer because the data was all over the place and probably wouldn't fit into their paradigm or be too complicated to explain. Still with the other cancers, a third was probably due to modifiable lifestyle factors. I think a third is significant enough for me to try to stay fit in addition to all the other benefits of exercise. I've never exercised and watched what I ate as much as I have since diagnosis (stage iv at get go) and have managed to remain NED for 7 years now. Could be just a coincidence but I'm not about to stop now.

SuC

I feel like we are being blamed for getting breast cancer - accused of drinking alcohol or being fat. There is this huge degree of randomness. Anyone can get it. Alcohol and obesity do not cause the cancer. They may be associated with a higher risk but that doesn't mean that any of us without the risks actors can't get its on. Tired of feeling it is my fault

ruthbru

Your feelings are normal. I remember when I was first diagnosed & some news blurb came on saying how exercise reduced the risk of BC. I actually swore & threw my shoe at the TV! And I remember being at a stop light after a chemo session, looking over and noticing the lady in the next car who was extremely heavy, had a Big Mac in one hand, a cigarette in the other (and probably a beer between her knees).  It seemed so unfair that I wanted to ram her car!  I guess the only profound things I've come with about it is that 'reduce' is not the same as 'eliminate', and 'shit happens', and a more positive thought as well; being in good shape going into might help you withstand the treatments better & will definitely help you bounce back faster and more completely once you're done.

mdg

I felt the same way. I have been a fitness professional and aerobics instructor for over 20 years.  I have no family history.  I keep thinking well if I got BC while exercising and being healthy, what would have happened if I was overweight and never exercised???  It obviously can't protect everyone but being healthy otherwise certainly can't hurt. 

tgtg

Believe me, BadatUsernames, I understand your feelings--frustration, anger, confusion, disappointment, betrayal--after being diagnosed with breast cancer despite being active all your life. Two years ago I was in that same place for a while, until the shock of the diagnosis wore off. Once it did, I realized some things that my emotions kept me from seeing right away, and I want to share them with you. .

First, the fact remains that behaviors like exercise, good nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, restricting alcohol and tobacco intake, and living as chemically-free as possible are merely ways of lowering our risk factors for breast cancer (and other diseases as well)--but they are not "silver bullets" or magic shields that guarantee immunity from it, and none of the breast cancer literature says they are. Nor do these good habits work like vaccinations that we get to acquire immunity and that usually work for most, but not all, of us. (This year's flu vaccine, for example, is effective for only about 30% of recipients, but that doesn't mean that no one should have had thet flu shot at all or that people should decide to never have one again.) If these risk-lowering measures didn't work for us, it also doesn't mean they are a medical hoax or a cover-up; it just means that our case was the one "that got away" and that we were the unlucky ones. We simply do not live in a perfect world with perfect outcomes.

Second, the fact also remains that we women can do nothing about our single biggest breast cancer risk factor, having been born female! And we are not to blame for that chromosome either, any more than 10% of us are to blame for inheriting a BRCA gene! But it is nevertheless wise for us to do--and keep doing--all we can to decrease those risk factors that we can control, recognizing that we will not always be 100% successful.

Third, the one certainty in the medical literature about cancer cells, and especially breast cancer cells, is that they behave totally unpredictably and highly idiosyncratically. (It is even possible that researchers may never fully uncover the mechanisms that trigger them to act as they do.) This unfortunate certainty, however, confirms the blamelessness of the breast cancer patient--the rogue nature of the cells and their unpredictability can and does sometimes defy our human attempts to lower our risk.

Fourth, the fact I discovered during treatment is that even though my prior good behaviors had failed to lower my risk far enough, they certainly did make the treatment and recovery processes go very easily. Being fit and able to continue exercising in recovery and throughout radiation really benefited me. I continue to maintain those good behaviors, not just to lower my risk of recurrence but, more importantly, to feel great and to be able to lead a full and happy life. I encourage you to do likewise once the diagnosis shock has worn off! TG

Warrior_Woman

If exercise and diet "prevented" BC, I would not be here. Nonetheless, I am glad I've taken care of myself to the best of my reasonable abilities.

Hopeful82014

I'm yet another one who doesn't drink, eats carefully, exercises religiously, etc. And still - stage II. I do get tired of those who don't know us lecturing us about diet and exercise (and I'm sick of hearing the term 'behavior' - it makes it sound like we're a bunch of uncontrolled two year olds).

A couple weeks after being dx. I met with the RO, who (gently) talked with me about needing to keep my weight up, etc. A few hours later, I had a call from the radiology social worker, who proceeded to lecture me about the need to avoid putting on weight, review the guidelines for a healthy diet, eat more fruits and vegetables, and to try to work in more activity - maybe park farther from the door of the mall and walk, etc. Now, 10K steps a day is my absolute minimum, I'm always squeezing in a chance for a walk during my day, consume about 10-12 servings of veggies and fruits a day, etc. I would bet $$ that I'm in better shape than the LCSW, who had never even met me, and here she was lecturing me! Like Ruth, I just wanted to throw something! It was with GREAT difficulty that I refrained from getting snarky but I did suggest that she not make assumptions because they just might be in error. I still shake my head over that phone call.

It's not just BC though - my gastro. implied that my younger brother's esophageal cancer was due to a fast food diet, being overweight and smoking, none of which applied to him.

I think it's easy for medical types (and others) to classify cancers as lifestyle diseases so that they don't feel a) as vulnerable themselves and b) can avoid offering compassion without feeling guilty.

coraleliz

The other side of the coin........Two of my co-workers have 1st degree relatives who had BC(one's mother & the other's sister). Both these women have trouble with weight & can't stick to an exercise program. Perhaps they dismiss the "diet & exercise" link as a myth & point to me as proof?

Kjones13

it's a crap shoot. Live your life and enjoy everyday. I personally, say keep up the exersice--why? Not for prevention of a re-occurance, but because when you lose your physical self...you won't have any regrets. Not to be a Debbie downer, but know that 30% of early stage bcers develop late stage bc. Not a damn thing anyone can "do" about it. Stupid cancer!

Anonymous

A lot of you have more reason to be angry than I do! I ate a reasonable amount of veggies and never smoked or did drugs but also love a good bacon cheeseburger and all things chocolate. I also drank light-moderately from about 19 onward and never paid much attention to toxins/hormones/parabens. Still...cancer at 28? Yes genetics may have some blame (BRCA- but we all know there's more genes out there) but it's not like my family members who got this in their 50s and 60s had impeccable habits. I mean, I'm glad none of them had to deal with this until later because it sucks but there was all sorts of drinking, smoking (or inhaling large amounts of second-hand smoke), red meat eating and lack of exercising going on in people's youth.

I guess I notice some people write stuff like "oh I'm glad I had healthy habits even though I got cancer anyway because I would've gotten it so much younger and a more aggressive form if I didn't." Like age of onset and aggressive correlate to an unhealthy lifestyle. I've heard of women who got this even younger than I did - as young as 21 even. How much damage can someone so young do in such a short lifetime that it causes cancer?

Hopeful82014

That's a good question, BAUN. I really believe there must be environmental influences at play here.

I simply cannot fathom dealing with breast cancer in one's 20s...

Holeinone

Bad at users, so unfair....my DD is 28. I was dx at 58... Not a huge shock, common in my small family, every female has had BC, found in the early 60s....what was a shock was stage 3. They were all stage 1.

That study that said it is random was from John Hopkins, they also reported about it on CNN.

Being young, it has to be hard to understand why your cells went haywire. No one will be able to answer . I tried to get my RO to explain how or why I had so much cancer in the axillary when the tumor was so small. Nodes were twice the size & bursting out. He shook his head. Can't explain it. Don't know.

I have also been a very active adult. Competitive tennis, golf, 1/2 marathons, hiking. I know many women that do nothing, healthy as can be.

AussieElaine

I, too was very healthy, in fact I was the healthiest person in my family. There was no cancer of any kind in my mother's or father's side of the family. I am the first one ever to get it. Most of the women lived well into their eighties and beyond, my paternal grandmother was 94. My mother has survived tuberculosis at 18, a fall downstairs at 70 when she broke her neck in 4 places and 2 major cardiac arrests since. She is very frail but very feisty! I hope I have some of her genes.

I think BC in particular has a lot to do with all the hormones that is in food and heaps of other things including plastic. Feel for all the really young women who get it and NONE of us are to blame.

luv 'n' stuff

Elaine

exbrnxgrl

I really have nothing new to add to this convo, but I think it's important for us to really understand that while it is important to live a healthy lifestyle, nothing guarantees that we won't get cancer. Yes, we can reduce risks but lifestyle does not prevent cancer and no one should confuse risk reduction withprevention. There is no"prevention" when it comes to bc, as far as I know. Most importantly, we should never feel like it's any type of failure on our part.

glennie19

Amen to that, Caryn!!!

Hopeful82014

I certainly didn't exercise primarily to avoid cancer and in no way see exercise or activity as having "failed" me. Nor do I intend to cut back or dismiss it as a waste of time as there are too many other benefits, including sheer enjoyment.

I just resent all the articles and loose talk that imply that BC is a 'lifestyle' disease and that if you do all the right things you'll avoid it (and its reverse - that you mustn't have led a healthy lifestyle if you DID get BC). The belief that screening/early detection equals a slam dunk cure is just as aggravating.

Manu14

Hopeful . . . you said so well my exact same feelings.

trailrose

Bad at Usernames- I also exercise. My main form is trail running in the mountains and LOTS of it! I also eat super healthy,organic and hardly any kind of meats. I get 8 hrs. of sleep a night and have a positive outlook on life but still got my diagnosis of DCIS. I got tested for gene mutations and I have none. Now my sister who at 27 yrs. of age got stage 3 IDC that was aggressive and has the BRCA 1 gene mutation (and she's here 11 yrs. later to tell her story) Sometimes there is no explanation for it. My BS says that being a woman,not having children and starting a period at 10yrs. of age didn't help me. My BMX is Jan. 20th and today I went for a 14 mile trail run and will continue to do so once I recover/heal from surgeries! Keep your chin up,be kind to yourself and keep exercising.

shaz101

I too exercise and eat healthy foods. I also live in the country and drink rainwater and I don't use chemicals on my body. None of which I do to reduce my chances of sickness but because they make me feel good! I guess it's my drug of choice.

My Dr who I've been seeing for 25 years cried and hugged me when I was diagnosed. He said out of all the people he sees I am the one he would last expect to get cancer.

I don't want to think like that. My mental health is just as important as my physical health and trying to work out the whys isn't very helpful. I just accept this as my next challenge. I love challenges! It's just that I normally pick it, this time it picked me. Bring it on!!!

Trvler

I love this thread. I exercise but not as much as some of you. I do it because I feel great. I try to eat well. I am better than some, worse than others. I eat too many sweets. It drives me crazy when people tell me I have to stop all sugar. I went to a therapist to help me with some issues with my kids and getting through all this. On my way out the door she said 'Remember, sugar FEEDS cancer". Kind of made me mad. I know she meant it to be nice.

As many of you point out, you can do everything right and still get cancer. Or, you can do everything wrong…..my sister has never exercised a day in her life, is overweight by at least 50 pounds and eats total garbage. And you guessed it, no cancer. But I will always try to eat better and I work out because if makes me feel great. It keeps depression at bay.

Tinkerbells

I agree with everything this thread has said, but would like to point out one thing that troubles me so very much- the Breast cancer blame game. Other than lung cancer (and I think a third of lung cancer patients have never smoked), there is no cancer I can think of where blame seems to fall squarely on the patient.

Oh! Breast cancer- you were overweight! You had IVF! You drank! You have the gene! Drink green juice and it won't come back. Don't eat sugar and it won't come back. Take them both off and it won't come back. Blah blah blah. While most comments are well intentioned, they come across as preachy and are flat out incorrect.

For the record, I lived a clean life, exercised circles around most friends, ate well, slept, drank little alcohol, was a non smoker, and had no familial history of breast cancer (plenty of others). I am brca negative.

It is my twisted belief I dieted and exercised myself into a more aggressive cancer - maybe if I were obese I would have been er/pr positive? See how the blame game works?

I know it's a crap shoot, and I know my lifestyle probably delayed the onset of my cancer. I just wish people would be better informed and/or keep their opinions about BC to themselves. I think the fact that it's mostly women that get BC exacerbates the blame game.

Just venting. Sorry!

Trvler

Don't be sorry, Tinkerbell. Vent away.

debiann

I LOVE this thread, I'm a non-smoking, non-drinking, moderately overweight couch potato with semi healthy eating habits. I am sorry we are all riding in the breast cancer boat together, but its a relief to know that skipping the gym did not cause this disease. 

I did experience a great deal of stress during the time they predict my cancer started. Most of it was caused by work, with the death of my father added on top plus an awful menopause. I named my cancer after the crazy woman who caused the stress at work, lol. Fortunately she has moved on and life is calmer.

Trvler

Debiann: I can relate to your stressful coworker. I refer to my former boss as Satan. She totally stressed me out. Luckily for me, about 6 months into my pregnancy, I had to go on bed rest. It makes me shudder to think of what my stress would have done to my baby.

HOw old are you, if you don't mind me asking?

Hopeful82014

Tinkerbells, I agree with your suspicion that "...the fact that it's mostly women that get BC exacerbates the blame game."

I think that's also much of the reason that we're expected to accept such a wide range of side effects from every aspect of treatment for a fairly uncertain gain.

Tinkerbells

oh, hopeful, do not even get me started on my theories about female v. Male cancers.