How diet affects our intestinal microbiome/BC risk

Yep, it is very interesting. I read something about this when I was first diagnosed, and I have seen enough credible studies to conclude that it is very important to maintain a healthy intestinal system, in general but especially for those of us with BC. 

I also saw this a while back: http://presse-inserm.fr/en/chemotherapy-when-our-i...

"Research jointly conducted by investigators at Institut Gustave Roussy, Inserm, Institut Pasteur and INRA (French National Agronomic Research Institute) has led to a rather surprising discovery on the manner in which cancer chemotherapy treatments act more effectively with the help of the intestinal flora (also known as the intestinal microbiota). Indeed, the researchers have just shown that the efficacy of one of the molecules most often used in chemotherapy relies to an extent on its capacity to mobilise certain bacteria from the intestinal flora toward the bloodstream and lymph nodes. Once inside the lymph nodes, these bacteria stimulate fresh immune defences which then enhance the body’s ability to fight the malignant tumour."

Falleaves, also your article does a good job of explaining why they are now researching the gut flora of women with bc, and comparing to women w/o bc.

Heidi, I love rye bread, but then I am a Dane. Other than herring, I think it is far to say that rye bread is our national food. 

Interesting.

A notable connection: the rate of breast cancer in Poland in women who are BRCA+ is almost half of what it is in North America.  This may be due to diet, environment, genetics or some combination of those things. The Polish diet is high in cabbage and roots like potatoes and beets. The deli bread my Polish family ate was a heavy, dark farmer's rye.

A summary: http://impactinnovation.womensresearch.ca/portfol…

The actual research: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21834074

Who knows if this means anything, but for anyone interested, Polish rye bread is extremely durable stuff that holds up well in a freezer for months.  It can be found at any Polish deli or even ordered online.  

I think the Reuben is an American innovation (and a good one!)

It's funny, I would not call the Polish diet "healthy" per se -- there is a fair amount of cured pork (e.g., kielbasa), butter and full-fat dairy.   But cabbage appears everywhere, lots of veggies get pickled, and soups made of cabbage, sorel, beets and potatoes are a staple.  And of course, it's not an affluent country.  People tend to cook and eat at home, and when they cook, it's inexpensive stuff (lots of bread and soup, not steak)

Fascinating article.  Thank you Fallleaves.

My experience with rye bread is that it usually contains caraway seeds. This prompted me to do a search on caraway seeds.

http://breastcancerfightnowbydraarontabor.blogspot.com/2011/07/black-caraway-seed-compound-has-breast.html

I make my rye bread with about two tablespoons of caraway seed...

I fixed the link above about the caraway.

Light, thanks for the fixed link. Nigella sativa is also what is known as black sesame, which I love.

Light, thanks. I realize that "black sesame" is a misnomer, but it is often called that. Nigella sativa are the seeds used on naan and other balkan/middle eastern breads. I only know because I had to go buy some at Christmas, so that my daughter could make a traditional, Greek new year's cake that required them. That is when I learned that they may be useful for us BC people.

Momine, yea, I had read that black sesame was a common misnomer for black cumin seed, just wanted to make sure to distinguish between the two. Btw, I haven't had any craving for bread until you started talking about naan and posting pictures of delicious looking bread. I'm going to be searching for some healthy rye bread around here now.

Momoschki- Here are some studies on Nigella sativa (black cumin seed oil) and its effect on breast cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12724920

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23317266

http://cancercompassalternateroute.com/antioxidants-vitamins-and-minerals/nigella-sativa-oil/

I find it very hard to find REAL rye breads that are not made as seedless.  (I'm half Polish so rasied on rye bread.)  I've also been avoiding breads for the carbs but LOVE a seeded rye bread!  I wonder how hard these seeds are to digest like flax seeds that need to be ground?  I recall seeing a carrot recipe sprinkled with caraway seeds.  Sounds like another nice seasoning to add to soup or salads maybe besides breads.

lightandwind -  those links are very interesting and considering the positive findings I wonder why this seed is not mentioned more.  Sounds like some naturalpaths are pursuing it though....