HER2 Positive Foods to Avoid

Diane, I think you mean to ask about ER+, not HER2+, since you are HER2-?

Diane, there are other threads here that talk about this. I am no expert, but the only two things my onc told me to stay away from was soy and alcohol. I read the Anti Cancer book, and he recommends eliminating sugar and white flower as much as possible, and also limiting red meat. I guess this goes along with just as healthy a diet as possible.

A major international study of studies, a meta-analysis, classified alcohol as the one "food" factor that increases risk for breast cancer. For lung cancer, the report pointed to smoking. So it is clear that alcohol is a "do not partake of" food/drink for anyone concerned about deloping bc or fearing its recurrence.

Other research I have done suggests to avoid or minimize (for any type of breast cancer): red meat, processed meat, white flour, sugar, high-fat foods (except for omega-3 fats, in moderation), fried foods, BBQ'd food that is blackened. The only food I know of to avoid specific to any type of breast cancer is soy for ER+ bc. But even then, some believe the occasional use of this food is OK, but not as a supplement.

Here is a link that refers to the report I mentioned-



http://www.dietandcancerreport.org/expert_report/report_contents/index.php

I am 63 years old and have HER2 progesterone+ breast cancer, stage 3.my chemo was 12 weeks of Adriamycin/cytoxin, and then 12 weeks of taxol/Herceptin. After a MUGGA scan my Herceptin was stopped due to left ventrical  problem. before I finished taxol I had surgery, a lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes. All was clear. My oncologist prescribed arimidex  before my surgery, but I had severe side effects, (diarrhea, vomiting, nose sores, fell twice because od dizziness) so had to discontinue it right after surgery. I decided to take a break from the Herceptin after two infusions because neuropathy had started up in my right three fingers and I was trying to figure out a way to treat it. And I was also trying to go back to work as I had depression from sitting around so much from the side effects of chemo. It has been 1 1/2 months since my last infusion and I had a MUGGA scan 2 days ago. Got a call from my oncologists nurse. She has canceled all Herceptin infusions. My left ventrical  has a problem again. I have decided to keep my organic diet and omit sugar, dairy, and meats except for a little chicken and fish. I read about a hormone balancing product called Macafem. Does anyone have any info. on it or anything else? I have also started taking methylcobalamin, benfotiamine, glutamine, alpha lipoic acid, and Acetyl L- Carnatine for the neuropathy.  Any new info. would be appreciated as I have chemo brain. It takes me forever to get things done-LOL

During treatment I was told to stay away from soy, raw mushrooms, sushi, sprouts, and salad bars. Anything else was okay to eat. I figure if they weren't good for me then they aren't now so I don't partake of those except a very occasional salad bar. I'm sure it was because of the bacteria involved in those items. My Onc said sugar does not cause cancer and I could eat anything I wanted in moderation. I try to do that but I do like sweets so I know I overdue that. Alcohol is okay as well, with moderation, I was told, which I guess means maybe a glass or two a day? .I don't drink that often but I suppose I could. I was told to not eat a lot of red meat maybe only a couple of time a week after treatment and if I wanted to eat organic it wa fine but not necessary but I try to look for some of the "worst" foods in the organic aisle, like strawberries or apples.

I guess we each have to find our own way of eating but my Onc said nothing is off the table.