A little info from someone in Japan

nowheregirl · September 2011

As some of you may know, I am a Japanese who has spent her entire life in Japan. I have always been frustrated that so many people here seem to be given false information on breast cancer treatment in my country but have not had the guts to say anything about it until now. The reason why I haven't had the guts is that complementary or alternative treatment is a very hot topic here and often gets too ugly. But I finally decided to post this as I thought that anyone should not make decisions based on the false information and spread it here or elsewhere.

From what I have read here and my own experiences, standard breast cancer treatment in Japan is pretty much the same as the U.S. or other Western countries. We are NEVER given any kind of mushrooms, Alkaline/Kangen water nor have any official studies ever said that green tea lowers the risk of breast cancer or its recurrence. In fact, National Cancer Center in Japan officially announced last year that green tea intake has absolute NO effect on lowering the risk of breast cancer or recurrence. It is true that some people eat mushrooms (Reishi, Maitake etc) or Alkaline water etc to avoid recurrence but it's their own choice, not certified physician's/specialist's. Studies on certain types of mushrooms are taking place, but so far there has been very little data from human trials to make definitive conclusions regarding the effectiveness in treating or lowering the risk of breast cancer.

Please do not get me wrong. I have absolute zero intention to discourage anyone trying complementary/alternative treatment. Everyone is entitled to do what they think is good for them. But I just don't want anyone to make important decisions based on the false information. Just because you hear or read something is proven to be good in Japan doesn't automatically mean it is true. Please be careful and choose your path wisely, especially when you spend a fortune on health products.

Hugs,

Fumi

AnneW · September 2011

Thank you, Fumi!!!!

Anecdotal evidence is not really evidence at all. It's just someone's story.

Husband11 · September 2011

Thank you, that is important to clarify, as not having inside knowledge on standard treatment in Japan, we are subject to misinformation.

cp418 · September 2011

Thank You Fumi!! So very true for all breast cancer information, articles, research.

thenewme · September 2011

Hi Fumi,

Thanks so much for commenting on this! I know Japan has a relatively low breast cancer incidence rate, but so do lots of other countries. Do you have any thoughts on why Japan might is so often referred to with regard to these types of miracle cure claims?

I sure wish we could figure out an easy clear-cut answer as to why the geographic discrepancies!

elmcity69 · September 2011

thanks, Fumi. beautifully written, right to the point.

j

sam52 · September 2011

Thanks, Fumi - great to see you posting again.

I think a lot of the ideas we get in the UK are based on the low rates of bc in places like Japan and China ........so that if you try to emulate what is considered to be the type of diet commonplace in those countries (we are led to believe : no dairy, lots of soy,mushrooms, green tea etc), then you will prevent a recurrence.

Best to you!

Sam

thenewme · September 2011

I agree, Sam - it's the same here in the US. I don't get it. It's not much different from saying we should all have surgery to reshape our eyes to almond shape because that's most prevalent in Japan and they have lower BC rates, so it *must* be the eye shape that helps decrease the risk! Or black hair, ability to form specific speech sounds that are unlike English, or anything else. It just doesn't make sense.

Conversely, there are other countries with even lower rates of BC than Japan and China, so why don't we try to emulate Iran or Chad or some of those places?

I don't think it's a coincidence that these claims are most often repeated by those with commercial interest in promoting some unproven and unscientific alternative "treatment."

Anonymous · September 2011

Thanks, Fumi. Very kind of you to post, and so well said. Appreciate your intentions, not to discourage, but to inform.

Would LOVE to hear anything you do hear that seems effective - have a sense women with bc get to learn things, sometimes b4 "standard treatment" changes.

I have, for several years now, gotten tremendous relief from Joint pain caused by Arimidex, by going to a wonderful acupuncturist. Now more widely accepted that acupunture does seem to help reduce inflammation and especially good for SE's of aromatase inhibitors. Will probably be years, if ever, b4 there would be clinical trials on something like this.

Thanks again for your post.

thenewme · September 2011

Hey, Sunflowers!

Actually there is quite a bit of data supporting acupuncture for various conditions.

Here's a short list from Sloan-Kettering:

"Purported Uses
# Pain -Several clinical trials showed that acupuncture is effective in alleviating pain.
# In vitro fertilization -Some studies show acupuncture can improve the pregnancy rates in women following in vitro fertilization. But a recent study shows no benefits.
# Depression -Evidence from clinical trials is inconclusive. More studies are needed.
# Headache -This use is supported by clinical trials.
# Fatigue -Several clinical trials showed that acupuncture reduces fatigue.
# Constipation -This use is supported by scientific evidence.
# Nausea -A number of studies support the use of acupuncture in treating nausea.
# Cancer-related symptoms -Several clinical trials support the use of acupuncture in relieving pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and hot flashes resulting from cancer treatments.
# Allergy -A few studies have shown that acupuncture is useful in treating allergic rhinitis when used along with standard care. "

LOLOL - One of the adverse effects listed for acupuncture is "failure to remove needles," bwaaahahaha!!! I hate when that happens!

crazy4carrots · September 2011

Yesterday, my acupuncturist removed the needles and then "checked for leaks" -- an old acupuncturist joke for sure!

Husband11 · October 2011

Can you comment on Japanese diet? Is there still a pattern of consuming foods that have high iodine levels, like seaweeds?

nowheregirl · October 2011

The differences I think between my country and the U.S or other Western countries are:

1) We eat much more seaweeds, fish, green tea and soy on the daily basis.

2) Women don't drink alcohol as much as they do in those countries.

3) We exercise more.

4) Our food is much less seasoned.

5) Hence, we are a lot smaller than women in those countries.

What I mean by exercise is not what you think it may be. I am not talking about the ones that require you to take lessons or buy DVD's. Not many women here drive (a lot of women do have licenses but since our properties are lot smaller, most people only own one car and it's usually men's and not every place has a parking lot.) so they commute by walk or bike when going out, even when doing HUGE grocery shopping. *lol*

As far as the intake of certain types of food like green tea or soy goes, I think it is more about before you get this disease than after. I guess these could be the reason why less women here get this disease but once they do get it like me, then I'm not sure if these help us avoid the recurrence. However breast cancer is not the only disease that threatens your life. Everything I mentioned is considered to protect your health so I think it's worth a try except too much soy for those with ER/PR positive receptors.

Anonymous · October 2011

thenewme - giggle, giggle, giggle, "needles left in" - I have very thick, wildly curly hair, and many a time I've gotten home, bent down to pick up something - and a little "needle" will fall out! They are SO, so thin, you really can't call them needles. But I SWEAR by acupuncture, and would give up food b4 I gave up my monthly session.

Thanks again, Timtam - I stil miss the soy I ate for 2 meals a day for years: organic tofu, and endame. Confused by the different suggestions that women with E+ can eat soy, but I'm at Dana Farber in Boston, and when my oncologist said to "avoid" if possible - I avoid.

A little info from someone in Japan

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