lifestyle changes: how much is enough?

peggy_j

In the past we've used this forum to discuss which cosmetics/etc that we use since they are considered safer. Now I'm reading about the risks of microplastics in fish, sea salt, bottled water, the air we breath (!) etc. And then concerns about clothes emitting chemicals. This is maddening. Where does it end? Part of me thinks of all the people who make seemingly no effort to prevent chemical exposure and are doing just fine. I'm curious what other BC survivors are doing. I upgraded my food and kitchen stuff (got green pans; tossed the Tupperware and plastic coffee maker) but what are others doing to mitigate these other risks? I keep thinking of how we're told things are safe until we later learn that they aren't.

edwards750

It is overwhelming Peggy. Personally I have not nor will not take some of the drastic steps that have been proposed because next week it’s a different story. I’m glad they are researching a lot of the supposed causes but I wonder how much actual research they do and how many people or products were surveyed.

I still believe in everything in moderation. We all know people who lived the good health life and still got cancer and ones who changed their lifestyle and had a recurrence. The fact is the medical profession cannot say unequivocally why some women get BC and why some have a recurrence.

You can make yourself crazy trying to keep up with what causes what and who do you believe if there are conflicting opinions?

Diane

MDRR

I completely agree. I go to a cancer center that has an integrative medicine center, and I see an oncologist solely to discuss nutrition, lifestyle, skin care, home cleaning products, etc etc. She is not my medical oncologist; she is actually a radiation oncologist. But also the director of the integrative medicine center. I love getting the information, but she is the first one to say things like 'don't put yourself in a food prison' -- meaning moderation is perfectly acceptable. There certainly are no guarantees either way. I am an athlete; have been all my life (I'm 62). So I pretty much have always watched what I eat and get tons of exercise. My only medical issues to this point have been orthopedic, but then I was found to have breast cancer. I try to take in what she tells me, and I make small changes to my habits. But I do think there is a balance between doing what fits into a reasonable lifestyle and being too militant, making yourself crazy! So I find it interesting and definitely like getting the info and education, but I try to do what I can without driving myself (and everyone else!) crazy. I do think that with regard to nutrition, the less processed, more organic foods make sense and that probably won't change. But in terms of other products, it does seem like we find out one thing is bad one year, and the next year it's something else!

santabarbarian

A very validated practice is intermittent fasting. Good immune system boost that stresses cancer. See Dr Valter Longo, USC

LoveFromPhilly

hi just wanna chime in here - I really love and agree with what Edwards and MDRR.

I am an integrative oncology acupuncturist and nutritionist and MDRR I couldn’t agree with your RO more. I am so happy that she’s speaking honestly.

And I do think it’s what we know and our availability to education knowledge and resources. I am incredibly lucky because I studied the “natural” way of living, speaking from a nutrition and eastern medicine perspective and live in a very urban environment with tons of food and other resources. So living/eating “well” or “cleanly” is easy for me. However, I’ve found my pendulum has swung quite a bit the other way in that I am being way more relaxed than ever about what I eat and remembering to be grateful for the food on my plate - which I love to do because it helps me take a moment and consider the path it all took to get to my plate (aka mindful eating practice!).

SantaBarbara: I may be wrong here so just curious as it has been a few years since I deeply investigated but I thought that the fasting that Longo has studied is more relevant for people going through chemotherapy? That the act of fasting gives a relief from the work burden placed upon the organs from metabolizing food. I think the way I remember it is that the allowing the organs to rest in a way allows the chemo to be taken up by the active tumor (area of highest metabolism happening). I need to revisit some of my notes! I do know that if I do have to do chemo, I will employ this method with the supervising eye of a medical practitioner. It’s a fine balance of receiving the right amount of calories vs entering a danger zone of becoming too malnourished.

One other great aspect of the chemo fasting is that it greatly can reduce chemo-related side effects. The hospital where I see my MO has started collaborating with Longo on this and I am excited that his work is finally reaching the “big people” with the financial stability to do more research!

santabarbarian

I had very good results w chemo fasting and used Longo

s fasting mimicking approach (and got a pCR!). But his work goes beyond that. His main area is longevity.