Stage III survivors -5 years and out diet and lifestyle changes

I am not 5 years out, only 2 going on 3.

I have cut way back on refined starch, red meat and have cut out almost all sweets.

After much reading, I decided that there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that going vegan does you any good. Dairy is not a great evil either, but there is a study showing a correlation between dairy fat and recurrence. So I do not eat butter and cream anymore and severely limit cheese.

However, I am no saint. I still drink, although that is supposed to be a no-no. I drink in moderation, but I refuse to give up red wine.

Also, I try to get 10 hours of exercise a week. Most of it is walking, but 3 times a week I work out with weights as well. Several studies point to a protective effect of exercise, and besides it controls weight, reduces side effects of hormone treatment and makes me feel good.

Tectonic, your doc is right. A lot of people get confused between blood glucose and sugar. However, eating sweets or refined starch can spike you blood sugar and there is some evidence to suggest that this is not the greatest if you are a cancer patient. Some people also hypothesize that one reason exercise is protective is that it helps to keep blood sugar staple. It is also one of those things where even if it doesn't help against the cancer in the end, it will help me stay healthier overall.

The main reason, however, that I cut all the way back was initially that my fasting glucose was creeping into pre-diabetic range. it has since come down some, thanks to the diet and exercise. I was not, btw, all that heavy at the time (about 23 BMI), but my kid was huge at birth, so I may be predisposed to type 2.

I wish I could say I've been the poster child for healthy eating, but I have to admit until recently I may be the opposite.  I've GAINED about 30-40 since my dx.  Not necessarily junk food, but portion control and eating dessert later in the evening.  I finally got back on Weight Watchers and am using the Simple Start/Simply Filling technique and I LOVE it!  There's a list of core foods (most of which I like) and I don't feel deprived at all.  I've lost about 17+ pounds and my clothes are already getting loose.  It's lots of whole grains, fruits, veggies and lean proteins, so basically it IS eating healthy.  I do buy organic milk (fat free) and half and half because of the whole hormone thing.  Why add more to my body since it came back to haunt me before, right?  IDK, It's a crap shoot isn't it?  You hear of people that are athletes are vegan and eat all organic and still get cancer.  Everything in moderation I suppose.

Sharon

Christine, that is so great!

Lily, I eat a lot of salads for lunches. Today's has artichoke hearts, fresh, raw peas, cucumber, avocado, lemon and olive oil.

I think it's everything in moderation. My dr said if you do nothing else make sure you get plenty of exercise. I'm not stressing over eating sugar or hamburgers. You can get a zillion different opinions on the dos and donts but the fact drs don't know why some women get BC or why some have cancers that come back. It is a virtual crapshoot. Diane 

I work out almost every day, but I eat everything in moderation.  

littleflower- try to choose grains that are INTACT, meaning not refined so that all of the grain is present.  Steel cut oats, barley, quinoa, buckwheat, millet.  As far as sugar, choose, again,  foods that are not processed.  Veg, fruit, grains, organic meats (occasional).  If you drink sodas, stop.  Just eliminating that will cut your refined sugar intact considerably.  Without knowing your medical history, I'll stop will that general answer to your question.  Try www.aicr.org for recipes and tips.

Definitely go to the foodforbreastcancer site because the latest article there is about how bad carbohydrates are for many of us whose cancer is affected by insulin growth factor (IGF-1).  In the study cited, patients' tumors were tested for IGF-1 receptors, but of course we don't get that.  I'm going to assume I had them.  I always had problems with blood sugar spikes up ad down, very low blood sugar, and probably high insulin.  I reported this time and time to doctors, and no one seemed to care. 

I think with some good PT, you'll be rid of the cording in no time.  Radiation didn't seem to have immediate affects on cording or lymphedema.  I didn't have many side effects at all, if any. 

I know we all eat whatever we can to get by during chemo, then you can make changes.  There are lots of good sources of info mentioned here in these forums.  I do think low carb is the way to go.  I'm sorry that you're having the carb cravings.  I had no cravings during chemo and could barely eat.

I just saw a dietician who works in the oncology department.  She strongly recommended a plant based diet and told me from now on to fill at least half my dinner plate with veggies and to consider meat a "condiment".  That blew my mind.  It makes sense though.