For Informed People Using Alternative Treatments

Momine...I think I read somewhere that olive oil is best when not heated?  Something about it turning into a 'bad' oil if heated?

Dogsandjogs, flaxseed is pretty easy to find. I've gotten it at regular grocery stores (in the natural foods section) as well as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. I think it's best to buy it whole rather than ground, because it becomes rancid quicker once it is ground. I usually grind up a bunch and keep it in the fridge. I try for 25 g a day of ground flaxseed, which is about 4 TB (25 g of whole flaxseed is only 2 TB, but when it is ground it expands) That's the amount they are using in the clinical trial at the University of Chicago.

http://cancerconversations.uchospitals.edu/voices/flaxseed-may-hold-important-key-to-breast-cancer-prevention/

Usually I put the ground flaxseed in with oatmeal or on cereal, or put it in soup, chili or spaghetti sauce. My Mom puts it in her smoothies, too. It's also pretty good on a piece of whole grain toast with some almond or peanut butter. Or you could do like they did in one study and make flaxseed muffins!

Hi ladies. I am still not sure how a 100% alternative thread went so conventional. Either way I am all for combining science and alternative treatments. I just think there is so much that Dr.s don't know - especially about people like me who are BRCA2 positive. This is my second go round with breast cancer. I kid you not my surgeon called me at work and made me cry the first time because I refused to do chemo. This is really personal to me. My mother died from breast cancer after an 8 year battle and the chemo she had was horrible and life altering for me to witness as a young girl. I treated my first cancer successfully with sugery and hormonal treatments so that is what I will likely do again (I haven't met with my oncologist since my surgery two weeks ago). Either way, I have an awesome Oncologist who lets me question him to my hearts content. I hope this new thread works out!!

I, as well, wish I would have known about iodine AND the benefits of vitamin D years ago...I always stayed out of the sun.  I have also led a very very stressful life.  I feel this has all had a contribution to my DX.

Light, you mention your friends who were heavy into dairy and that was me, too. Mainly vegetarian (except for occasional fish) since I was 13, but also a lover of milk, cheese and ice cream. I've read that dairy has a lot of IGF-1, which may contribute to the growth of breast cancer ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2715202/), so I'm glad I decided to go (mostly) vegan last January (I do eat wild salmon). That was actually before my diagnosis.

Jojo, I think staying out of the sun may have been a contributing factor for me, too. And lack of iodine. Trying to make sure I get enough D now, and am interested in trying iodine. I need to find a good naturopathic doctor and ask some questions. By the way, I just saw a study that lactobacillus reuteri (a probiotic) increases serum levels of vitamin D by 25 % so I'm thinking of adding that to my supplements, too. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23609838)

YES!  A GOOD detox was in order!  (What they didn't seem to understand is that many of us don't 'care' if there is proven studies etc ....although that would be nice) We just want to share some info!...without being questioned and attacked.  Thank goodness for LightnWind!  Hopefully this thread will stay on a positive note.  I know one of their concerns was if 'newbies' see this info without checking ALL of the available info....maybe there should be a disclaimer at the top of these threads to appease?

Thanks so much everyone for the information about flaxseed! I really appreciate it; you guys are great!

Light, I got my iodine tested at FFP Labs. Dr. Flechas is an expert in this test and you get to talk to him to explain the results. http://cypress.he.net/~bigmacnc/FFPLab/home.htm Apparently there are other labs doing the 24 hour urine test but you don't get to talk to an MD about the test.

Thanks for your support Lightandwind! Here is the thing - I am all about research and finding proven alternatives - that is how I found my first treatment (zolodex and tamoxifen). I was getting frustrated on the other thread because I love to question and research but I was not getting that tone from the conversation - it was more question everything and give no alternatives. Maybe I was being too sensitive. Who knows! Basically I think it is my job as a cancer survivor to go out there and seek information and then research the crap out of it to see if it is something I want to try. That is how I found info about taking Bromelain, Arnica Montana, and Vitamin A & C before my reconstruction surgery. Of course when I asked my PS about them he was clueless about the first two listed. I pointed out that multiple plastic surgeon's recommended these supplements before and after surgery and the handout I had was from a PS office. He was fine with me taking them (the hospital did not want me to take Bromelain for some reason - (even though the pre-surgery person didn't even know what it was!) I do think the combo of supplements helped my overall recovery. Is that help all in my head? Possibly, but it has not hurt anything!

Prior to my recent surgery I read through my old Dr. notes from my radiation oncologist, surgeon, and oncologist from 2001. Those letters actually made me chuckle because they all said the same thing "patient refuses chemotherapy due to past issues with mother" BUT I was happy to see that my radiation oncologist and oncologist both made note that they were impressed with my thorough research in "credible" medical journals and credited me with finding my own treatment (now of course in 2013 many others are recommended for this treatment but in 2001 with the crappy internet it took me weeks to find anything and it was all from Europe!) By patients questioning and seeking alternatives we help make Dr.'s less complacent and good Dr.'s like finding out new things from my experience. Anywho, the main reason I came to this thread (and the other one) was for ideas and things that are working for other survivors. Like I said -- it is my job to research things after I read about them and I would hope that is what most everyone else does too. Sorry to rant ladies!

Sunflowers - I am a vegetarian so I use whey powder pretty regularly to get some protein (I used it a lot before surgery). I buy mine from Sam's Club because it is a lot cheaper there - I get the Muscle Tech brand - it is a huge 5 pd bag for like $34. Just make sure whatever you get doesn't have a soy blend -- I have noticed soy protein is mixed into a lot of powders, shakes and bars. The brand I buy has none.

Hi hjpz, just wanted to mention a website for protein powder I use for my husband (he's a triathlete) truenutrition.com

The cool thing about it is they have a lot of vegan and vegetarian protein sources, and you can make a custom mix if you want. I didn't think it was too expensive, but I tend to buy a bunch at once so I can spread the shipping cost over more things.

I've been trying to avoid soy protein isolate, although I'm not afraid of tofu or edamame or any of the less concentrated soy items. I know soy is very controversial, though!

delete

Thanks Fallleaves! I will give it a look!