Vegetarian BC Survivors

Only in the most simple of terms. 

Diet is only one factor in preventing or developing cancer.  It is valid to try to reduce our risk of getting cancer or recurrence by improving our diet (vegetarianism or veganism are two ways) but there are so many variables in a person's diet, vegetarian or not, that it is hard to say what contributes to preventing or getting cancer.  Each vegetarian's diet will look slightly different.  That is why it is so difficult to design scientific studies of how diet impacts prevention of illness. 

It is also possible to be a bad vegetarian.  Simply avoiding meat doesn't mean you are eating a healthy diet. In my 17 years of vegetarianism I've eaten really well most of the time, but there have been phases in my life when I ate lots of refined carbs, sugar, etc.  Although I was doing reasonablywell pre-diagnosis, I've since redoubled my efforts to eat local, unprocessed, organic food as much as possible, which is something that both vegetarians and non-vegetarians can benefit from doing.

I have been a vegetarian for 20 years.  I am ER/PR - and Her2 + like you.

Because of the ER/PR negative, my Dr. said that the amount of soy I consume didn't matter.

Other sources of protein beans, dairy, eggs, nuts, etc.  There are small amounts of protein in so many products, just read the labels, all of the small amounts add up.

I asked my DR. for a referral to a dietician, have not seen her yet.  But she only works with BC patients.

Might not be a bad idea for you??

Tulipbebe - many vegetarians, like me, are lacto-ovo vegetarians who eat eggs and dairy.  In my case, because I am hormone receptor positive and now have to avoid soy, eggs and dairy are key proteins for me.  Other sources are nuts and nut butters (not just peanut butter, but almond, cashew, etc.), beans and other legumes (lentils, chickpeas, etc.).  Also, even though they are not true proteins, there are some really nutritious high protein grains like quinoa and kamut that are tasty and filling - definately worth checking out. 

Also, don't get trapped in the myth about having to protein combine in a single meal.  That is what was thought back in the day; these days the thinking that the complementary foods do not have to be consumed in the same meal.  There is some protein in most foods, even carbs like lettuce (though you would have to eat a lot of it) and it is more about getting enough protien throughout your day. 

Daisy - I am so jealous that you can eat soy!! I miss my tofu.  Enjoy!

I have read in one book that cancer risks are like those Vegas slot mashines where you have to line up three of the same symbols to get a prize.  Good nutrition may be one one of the strawberries (others being variety of genetic and environmental factors) but if  you get that right you may reduce your chances of a line up which can result in cancer.

I was completely vegan for 8 years (no meat, chicken, fish or dairy)...I ate organic fruits and vegetables, didn't drink anything but water and green tea. I got breast cancer.  I eat chicken (free range) and fish (wild caught) now but still don't eat meat or dairy.

I do drink coffee now (usually no more than a cup a day)....cause coffee was the one thing I missed when I gave it up.  Since bc I enjoy my coffee very much.  I really think that when it comes to diet...everything in moderation is probably the best approach. 

tulipbebe:  I was in a very abusive marriage for 10 years, I have since then been a single mom for 17 years and I do have a stressful job.  I agree with mom of 2 that it is environmental and yes, I think stress contributes to illnesses that manifest in the body.

i'm a vegetarian for 17 years and my diet before i was diagnosed was terrible. i think that many factors can cause cancer, and it's impossible 2 isolate one.

Tulipbebe

I am one of the 'healthy vegetarians". Balance diet is key regardless of what you eat...I love broccoli, cauliflower, brussell sprouts, spinach, tomato and cabbage. All of which are suppose to be super cancer fighter! Guess not always! I get very angry when I see articles entitled "10 Ways to Avoid Cancer" and I have already done everything in the list. I do not believe that diet can keep cancer away. I do feel differently about the environmental influences which I would have never considered until my diagnosis. Since my bilateral mastectomy in December, I have been purging my house of ALL chemicals. From mascara to cleaning supplies. I have typed a list of natural cleaning solutions on the Stage IV thread under Cosmetics & Lotions. I have found safe cosmetics through the Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Review site. Its a great site where you can find just about any brand of anything and it breaks it down by chemical content and risk facts. It is a commitment though...lots of trial and error of new products but once you find ones you like...switching is no problem. WARNING though...the site can become addictive and it is scary to really find out about how many chemicals we are exposed to daily.

As far as man-made estrogens...birth control is the biggest (which I took for 20+ years). Lavender and tea tree also mimic estrogen in the body. There is so much controversy over soy that I do my best to stay away from it because my ER+ % was so high. I have become a serious label reader because it seems like most things I bought before had soy in them.

Stress...breathe...stop and smell the roses...breathe.  

Chemicals everyone should avoid according to an article in current Body + Soul magazine:

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate (DLS)

Triethanolamine (TEA)

Parabens (ie. butyl, methyl and propyl)

Propylene Glycol

Phenoxyethanol

Imidazolidinyl Urea

PEGs

Petrolatum 

Sorry if this is too much info...its become my "new way of life"!

Kris 

I found this article which I hope you guys have time to read its very interesting.

 http://www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/xeno_phyto_estrogens.html

Lorraine ox