Soy and Stress Gave Me Cancer - Advice Needed

BermudaRainbow

I posted when I was originally diagnosed regarding not feeling comfortable with pathology at JHU after MX saying I was HER2 positive, went for a SO at MSK and completely negative. Background Info:

45 yr biracial, mother of 4, breast fed all my children for a combined total of over 26 months, very fit, was High stressed/anxiety, and vegan of 8 years, never any illness until my diagnosis. Felt a super tiny bump on upper portion of rt breast almost to the skin, very close to surface, in 10/16 after clean mammo 7/16, diagnosed stage 0/1 9mm grade 3 idc hormone pos 100%, biopsy HER2neg, mx HER2 pos, 2nd opinion same mx block HER2 neg. No node involvement, oncotype 30

With much research and speaking to my oncologist who said I should have never been consuming more than 2 servings of soy per day, and I was drowning myself in it for 8 years. I've eliminated all soy, including lecithin and have left my stressful job, do yoga, mediate, pray,and continue to be active. I have friends around me that are survivors with some side effects and one whose had a heart attack. I've been recommended to do 4 rounds of chemo followed by tamoxifen. My question:

regardless of treatment (or because of it) when you look at the big picture and the fact that no records are kept on those who don't choose treatment recurrence is a coin toss as to why it happens.I'm at the 12 week mark, standard of care for onco, and they want me to start next week.What would you do?

Goincrzy8

I would do what ever I could to kill any cancer cells I want to be here for my kids and grandkids. We are all different and have to follow our guts

Good luck

muska

I would get a second opinion and do chemo. I am not sure what your statement about recurrence having 50/50 odds is based on because it is wrong.

Best.

Emily2008

Recurrence is not 50/50.

With an oncotype of 30, I would definitely do the chemo.

ChiSandy

I’m with Emily on this one. ODX of 30 is at the high end of “intermediate risk,” you had two different results as to HER2 status, and most importantly, you’re only 45 (bc is more aggressive in younger women). And as to the soy, there’s soy and then there’s “soy.” If you ate edamame, tempeh and tofu and drank pure soymilk in reasonable quantities (especially if you’re Asian) you probably did not increase your exposure to estrogen. But highly processed soy, such as protein powders, soy protein isolate, “vegetarian meat crumbles,” etc. does have an estrogenic effect because its isoflavones have been concentrated by processing.

As to stress, it does NOT cause cancer! It makes you pump out more cortisol, which raises your heartbeat and blood pressure, store fat in the abdomen rather than butt & thighs, grind your teeth, pump out inflammatory cytokines and make you feel miserable. It can bring on cardiovascular disease sooner if you are already at high risk. But it does not turn off the little “switch” in your breast cells that tells them to stop dividing and die off. Stress will, however, make it harder to handle the effects of both breast cancer and its treatments, and will keep you worrying about it to the point of obsession (with consequences to any loved ones who get in the way). It will sap your strength, impair your immune system, and hijack your emotions. That is why stress reduction classes are often offered at cancer treatment centers and cardiac rehab clinics.

And most importantly, second-guessing and beating up on yourself about how & why you got breast cancer is itself maxi-stress. Know what the major risk factor in breast cancer is? Being alive and having breasts.

Hopfull2

hi bermudia, I'm stage 1 and had to do chemo due to my high onco score. I just finished my last round #6 and though it's not not a walk in the park I do not regret this. I have 2 young children and need to know I did everything in my power to kill these cells so I lower my chances of a reoccurrence. Good luck in whatever decision you make

BermudaRainbow

I shouldn't have said 50/50 @Muska, what I meant was it's a coin toss as to why some women do everything that is medically advised and still have a recurrence or have it metastasize. I've seen where some have the same markers and do no chemo, it must be the oncotype of 30 but doesn't that still mean intermediate (do not know if the benefit outweighs the risk)

BermudaRainbow

@chisandy I consumed all forms of soy in every way possible

BermudaRainbow

Has anyone refused treatment after surgery and been fine

cp418

As previously mentioned your age and oncotype score put you more at risk for recurrence. The oncologist should have explained your personal situation to you as each patient is different.

This is a breast cancer predict tool which you may find helpful. http://www.predict.nhs.uk/predict_v2.0.html

Freya244117

Asking if anyone has refused treatment and been fine is kind of pointless, lots of women probably have, and lots have probably died. You can only make decisions on your pathology, what you are comfortable with, your doctors advice etc etc.

Personally, I am grateful that we have the options we have now, we need so much more done, but there are drugs that are helping women survive longer. Just realised this is in alternative meds, so will leave it at that. Best wishes with your decision.