Does diet really matter in breast cancer?

I just don't believe.......I've done all that. But there are other reasons to eat healthy.

I second that coraleliz!

Kale was staple food in our house growing up, my parents had a vegetable garden that was pesticide and herbicide free, raised their own chicken, turkey, anti-biotics and steroide free... they did everything right. And despite all that, my mom passed away from cancer and my sister and I diagnosed in the same year. And genetic testing came back negative. And we're not drinkers or smokers.

I'm just tired of these stabs in the dark, because to me, that's all this is... same as my genetic testing coming back negative. We know nothing. 

 Edited to add, grew up in southern Europe, on Mediterranean diet that 's supposedly very healthy and will protect you from all kinds of diseases except the ones you're gonna get no mater what....

I was a vegetarian and exercised (maybe over-exercised) most of my life.  I had (pre dx) a bmi of 19.3 and ate LOADS of the crucifers. 

I did have wine with dinner and I would like to think that did not negate all the other healthy things I did (some studies show people who drink wine are actually healthier).

I have a twin sister who ate a red meat diet, also drank wine or martini with dinner, rarely exercised, at one point was obese....no cancer.

I take issue with the author's statement that only 10% of bc is due to genetics.  She bases this on the fact that approx. 10% of bc patients have either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.  What she doesn't state is that these are the only 2 genes identified so far.  There are many, many scientists who are convinced that there are several other genes that could be responsible for bc, or other cancers.  And they are searching for these genes.

So what she has based her theory on is the diet issue.  But we all know that there are many, many patients like wallycat and others here who "did everything right".  My mother was another one who had absolutely no risk factors and was the first in her family (as far back as 4 generations) who developed bc. 

I do think diet helps, just not sure if it would or will prevent breast cancer. I believe the certain foods help, only problem is when we have chemicals, prescription drugs, radiation in our ground, (to mention a few) I don't think the food can help with all the damage from other things we are in contact with.   Organinc, is it really organic? Some of the big chain grocery stores have been caught claiming organic, when not and I'm sure not all farms are tested or all farmers are honest.  Vegetables and other foods have a lot of chemicals put on them. We also have to have our foods bigger and bigger, more chemicals, hormones, that can damage us. 

I try to eat the things that will help me, such as garlic, it's a natural antibiotic, I try now to eat a clove when I become sick (I warn my fellow workers) It has helped me a lot with my severe breathing problems, lung infections. Other foods are known to cure or help with other medical issues. I  I read natural cures all the time and juice for my IDC breast cancer, CLL, my type 2 diabeties, asthma, aches and pains......    If we continue to take too many prescription drugs we get more and more medical problems. Have you really listened to all the commercials on TV, the side effects of these drugs? Who would want to take them?  I have found in the last 2 yrs. by juicing and learning what to juice, I feel so much better despite having cancer. I've gotten off my Metformin for my diabeties, off my high blood pressure medication and use less and less medication for breathing problems, I control with eating or juicing the right kind of vegetables.  

. I have CLL cancer of the blood and IDC. Thurs. when I go to the doctor I'm going to ask to be tested for a fungus..  I've had a sinuis infection, UTI, thrush for over 8 years now that I can't get rid of, medical doctors haven't tested me. I was constantly on antibiotics, prednisone, advair... for severe breathing problems after taking or being forced to take Statin drugs, cholestrol medication ( these prescription drugs cause fungus to grow).  Can't hurt, who knows some of the people that think cancer is caused by a fungus may be right.  I know the medical doctors don't know what causes it. 1905 is when I hear they started working on a cure for cancer and we still have no answer, they still don't know what causes cancers?  Could it be no money in a simple cure? This year my medical bills are $95,000. ........ What if it was a simple $10 cure  or what if it was simply that we quit taking antibiotics or other pprescription drugs?  No one would want that in the medical field would they?  I found an article on antibiotics  steriods and other mutating drugs has coincided with the rise in cancer rates.  Doctors are now  trying not to put people on all these drugs so much it said, it will be interesting to see if the rate of cancer goes down too.

Not sure how, the more I read the more doctors don't know how to get rid of it or test for fungal. WOW! I guess we may be on our own.     I have read a blood test tells if you have some fungal problems.  I will ask my doctor more Thurs. when I go.  I have read and read, they say the best you can do for yourself is natural therapies, fresh garlic, ginger.... do a search of what natural herbs help with fungal infections. 

lindasa wrote "we all know there are many, many patients...who did everything right..." and still got BC.

Not to mention all the many, many people who "do everything wrong", but don't get it. Or the (IMO) vast majority of people, who are somewhere in-between, who did some things right and some things wrong and either got breast cancer--or not. Maybe diet is a factor, but it's only one among many, and I'd be surprised if it is the most influential.

When I see a study that gives strong evidence that people who eat, or avoid, a certain food or foods are less likely to get breast cancer, even after all other known risk factors are taken into account, or that they are less likely to have a recurrence after having BC once, then I'll be convinced. Until then, it's--again IMO--either guesswork or blame-the-victim (i.e. you wouldn't have gotten breast cancer unless you did something wrong).

I have to say, I'm on the other side of this debate, even though I definitely fall into the "lived-my-life-right-and-still-got-BC" crowd.  I just figure there is more that I can do.  I like the Anti-Cancer ideas, as well as the Life Over Cancer plans - I'm impressed that these oncologists have seen positive results with an integrative diet and lifestyle approach. 

I have a BMI of <20.   No family history of BC.   Exercise/eat right etc.  I have no interest in studies that requires a few million/billion dollars to tell me why I got BC.   I'm only interested in the cure.    

The biggest misinformation about BC:

1.  BC is patients' own fault:  not exercising, not eating right, stress, genetics, etc. 

2.  BC has a cure (they are looking at the 99% 5 year survival rate of stage 0, not the 25% survival rate of stage 4 or the 30% 10 year relapse rate of stage 2/3)

Listen, when someone tells me how they eat blueberries on their oatmeal every morning to protect them from cancer, I pretty much want to kneecap them.  Especially since that person is usually washing down fish and chips with a beer.  But I still believe that diet and lifestyle can improve my chances of beating this thing (or at least keep any stray cells from finding a home), so I'm in.  I know it's not for everyone, though.  I don't think of it as blaming the patient - just me doing one more thing to help myself. 

@sweetbean, but what diet, what lifestyle? What clear-cut evidence is there that any given food or combination of foods promotes or inhibits breast cancer, increases or decreases chances of getting it or of getting a recurrence? Eat lots of soy, or avoid soy (or go back in time and make sure your mother eats lots of soy while you gestate)? Eat lots of fish to reduce BC risk or avoid fish to reduce mercury intake? There was a research notice a few weeks ago on this site that breast cancer isn't one disease but ten genetically distinct diseases. Should all types of BC folllow the same dietary practices, or does what inhibits one genetic type of BC feed another and have no effect either way on a third?

A good diet and lifestyle will probably keep you at a healthy weight, and obesity is a known BC risk factor, so I agree that, at least in that sense, diet & lifestyle reduce risk. They also promote general overall health, and maybe that also reduces the chances that stray cells will find a home. Being convinced that dietary/lifestyle changes are doing some good may create a placebo effect, and that can be a very powerful thing . I don't know that there is any real proof that specific dietary or lifestyle practices make a significant difference in BC risk, but I'm real new at this, I just got diagnosed a few months ago. Do you know of any studies to the contrary?

I'm afraid that I have to weigh in on the side of a diet high in plant-based foods; it is good for basic, overall good health, but I really cannot believe that any one/combination of specific foods can lower risk that significantly.  I'm with the other ladies who mention that they were fit, active, and eating healthy already when they developed breast cancer; that was me, as well.  Didn't smoke.  Drank wine once-in-awhile.  Had periods of vegetarianism and - when I went back to eating meat a few times - tended to stick to chicken (and fish) because I don't like red meat.  Been eating whole grains for years.  Have been an athlete all my life, so my weight has always been within a healthy range for my height.  Brussel sprouts, spinach, berries (all kinds), cabbage, tomatoes, etc... have been a daily part of my diet all my life.  Diagnosed at age 50.

I find it so frustrating to read the "Lower Your Risk" articles and can cross of each- and every risk factor as "... already been doing that for years now ..."  Doesn't leave a body much room to work with...

Diet aside....I am convinced that an excess of estrogen was a contributary factor in my case; I had a period every 3 weeks for about 10 years before dx (aged 50). I can see that now with hindsight - my GP was very dismissive when I consulted her, saying i was simply peri-menopausal.

I am also sure that long-term stress is implicated; I was a single mother of an adolescent with an autistic spectrum disorder and experienced high levels of stress for many years.I have encountered many women dx with bc who have been in similar situations.

Why are these possible causes not researched?

A bit of a sidebar, but I would be curious to know how many of us diagnosed with bc can look back in time and find a very stressful period in our lives that corresponds to when the cancer probably started growing based on size and aggressiveness.  My BS gave me a ballpark timeframe of how long it was growing and bingo....definately was in the midst of a lifechaning stressful event.

"Being convinced that dietary/lifestyle changes are doing some good may create a placebo effect, and that can be a very powerful thing" So well said. It makes us feel empowered. Cleaning up my diet any further will be difficult, so I'm thinking I should relax it. My BMI is under 18, so I have no weight to lose. What I did was change my shampoo, conditioner & soap- some of you are probably laughing at me right now. I just wanted to do SOMETHING!!!!!

As for feeling empowered. I remember when my son was diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder. I was saddened & terrified. I read everything I could find. Supported every worthy related cause. Became active in our local Autism group.  Fought with the school for additional services(most of which were of little value). Took him to every specialist in the county. I felt "empowered". How much of this helped my son? Hard to say but probably very little & perhaps none.  I had to feel like I was doing something & everything to help him. I guess the limitations of feeling empowered hit home with me.