Do any triple negative survivors drink alcohol?

Well, when I was given a choice of doing chemo or not (my tumor, while triple negative, was very tiny), I told my oncologist in a fit of panic that I would do the chemo. 

Her advice:  "go home, have a glass of wine and think about it some more".  (She was opposed to my doing chemo but the oncology staff felt I should be given the choice.)  By the way, my oncologist practices at what many consider the best cancer hospital in the U.S.

I took it from her comment that she was not terribly concerned about alcohol intake for me.  I also have gathered that alcohol intake is more of a recurrence risk for those who had ER+ tumors.

In any event, I have chosen to drink wine on special occasions, but I certainly don't drink it daily.  I tend to have a couple of glasses when I do drink, but then I might not drink anything for six weeks or more.  I have seen studies that two glasses at once is more dangerous than two glasses in a week. 

But, honestly, I've also seen numerous studies and analyses indicating that the research on alcohol is not all that reliable in terms of causation.  Dh's doctor told him if she were diagnosed with BC she would not give up wine based on the studies she's seen.  So, I'm not sure it's technically correct to say, as the previous poster did, that every drop of alchohol increases the risk that the cancer will return.  It does not seem nearly that definitive when one reviews the studies carefully.

I've lost 55 pounds and now have my BMI in the healthy range.  I do aerobic exercise on the treadmill and elliptical for an hour or more at least five times per week.  I am careful about what I eat -- meat only very occasionally (perhaps 2-3 times per year), not much dairy and only low fat if I have it, lots of veggies, fruits and beans.  I also eat a few nuts and olive oil, but I try to keep my fats low.

So, I give myself a treat and have a glass or two of wine on special occasions.  And, when I do drink, I make sure it's really good wine and I really enjoy it!

Yes - I drink at the weekends and sometimes in between. But never to excess. As Titan says, we gotta live.

I also drink occasionally, but not regularly. I've never been a daily wine drinker. I eat meat and drink skim milk. But most of what I eat is organic and I try to stay away from processed food as much as possible. I love fresh fruits and vegetables. I exercise regularly--aerobics and walking. Other than that, I try to keep my stress level in check (not always easy). Oh and I LOVE coffee!



Lorrie

to be honest with you I probably drink too much wine...but whatever...and yes...every day...after I jog 3 or 4 miles....

5 or 6 in a week is probably normal for me

I drank very little during chemo...just didn't have the taste for it at all.....plus I already felt a little drunk from all the drugs anyway....

In 1997 while working as a psychotherapist at an in-patient chemical dependency treatment for adjudicated boys, a chemical dependency 'expert' told me something interesting about how men and women metabolize alcohol differently.  When men drink the alcohol goes to the liver and is metabolized.  When women drink the alcohol is stored in the fatty tissues and then it goes to the liver sometime later.  What are breasts?  Almost 100% fat.  Hmmm.....  Gives one pause for reflection.

Yes, I drink in moderation. I, also, exercise and meditate. I want to live a healthy lifestyle and I want to live a full life, too. Moderation is a glass of red wine while I cook dinner which could be once or twice a week or none. On the weekend we usually go out for dinner once and I have some then, too.

Cruising along here reading this thread and I see Miz Susie- my May Marvel buddy from the May 2009 chemo thread! I haven't been here in a very long time and it's nice to see a friend!

Yes, I drink. In moderation. Everything in moderation. I try to eat healthy and be active. I didn't drink at all during chemo, but I'm four years out almost from my last treatment. I eat meat. I drink dairy. And I enjoy alcohol. And I'm enjoying my life again.

I don't drink just because I don't go out much and so i wouldn't enjoy it alone but i do love sugar and cutting out a ritual such as a glass of wine after dinner or sugar in tea would do more harm than good in my opinion. I think little pleasures make our body chemistry happy.

I have and will continue to cut down a lot - but the odd glass or two with friends to celebrate etc brings enjoyment! Appreciating the moment is what it's all about. So why deny ourselves anything that can bring a little joy, laughter and happiness. God knows we need it!! :-)

An article on ScienceDaily said that research indicated that drinking more than 1 drink per day could increase b.c. recurrence by 91%. That is huge. You might want to do a search on that by using that data.

It is a serious risk factor as Blue Pearl states above. I gave it up with an very occasional back slide. The extra sugar, calories and all that go with the feeling of intoxication aren't worth it and I do love drinking but I love clear headed, healthy life style more.

Zuzeee - researchers are categorizing TNBC with aggressive ovarian cancer and not considering it a 'breast cancer'.  Weird.  So, here's something to think about regarding diet:  http://www.ted.com/talks/william_li.html.  This doc is still researching various foods, most of them fruits, but he (they?) have come up with something that shrinks tumors out of existence. 

My thought is that everyone should make their own personal choices that they are comfortable with. My first year or two after treatment I was very careful with food and alcohol. I stuck to no more than about 3 glasses of wine per week. I am less scared of a recurrence now (fingers crossed) and have loosened up in many ways, including drinking when the occasion warrants. For example, I just returned from 2 weeks vacation -- and yes, I drank wine daily and often 3 or 4 glasses in a day, but now I'm back to my usual routine, a couple of glasses on weekend evenings. The guilt and anxiety linger, but I do feel that BC is influenced by so many different factors -- diet, weight and exercise, genes, stress -- and if I can control even half of those, I'll enjoy my glass of wine. Then too, TN is a creature all of its own, not feeding on estrogen... so I'm not sure how well the usual stats apply.