Healthy eating ideas

Hello,

This is an interesting topic. There are a variety of views but probably no real evidence that diet makes any difference.

However, when I had my cancer in 2015 a dietician came to chat with me while I was having chemo. She said there seems to be a link with dairy products and returning bc and recommended cutting back on dairy. I thought about it and decided that if I ignored her and the cancer came back, I would always say ' what if'. Actually it hasn't been difficult although slightly more expensive. I swapped cow's milk for plant milks.....usually almond with calcium added.I swapped dairy yogurts for goats milk and soya and dairy cream for soya. Butter I replaced with a plant spread. Cheese I use mainly goats.( It doesn't always grate as easily although there are plenty of hard cheeses.) As vegan diets have become more popular, it has become much easier to buy things in all supermarkets, even places like Lidl have a range. I don't obsess about it. If I am visiting a friend who has made a creammy dessert or it isn't possible to get something, I just have the cow's milk product.

Has it helped? Who knows? But six years on,( Oct 1st) I am still clear of cancer. I have never been tempted by any of the other dietary suggestions for preventing cancer. I know there are a few that whiz around the airways. If it's  not normal food or meal patterns, I wasn't interested!

 It was also recommended I use paraben free toiletries and alluminium free deodorants.  In the beginning these were new but Timotei did a shampoo range and I bought Savon surgras instead of shower gel. Santex make a good anti perspirant. Nowadays , because of the environment,  everyone has reduced chemical products. There's a selection in every shop. Back in 2015, there were expensive varieties in pharmacies but it isn't necessary to buy those nowadays unless they are your preference.

In addition to non dairy, we do have healthy diet. My OH is a type 1 diabetic ( needs insulin) so most meals we have a small portion of carbohydrates,  plenty of vegetables.....usually at least two in season......and meat, mainly white, or fish. We have fruit and a yogurt for dessert. We rarely have ready meals or sauces because I need to know the sugar content for OH but we're retired and I enjoy cooking so it's not a problem. I can make cakes and biscuits but don't so we're not tempted to snack on them. OH prefers potatoes to rice and pasta because it is easier to control his sugar levels. The 'white' varieties have very high carbohydrates so the portion size is reduced and a spaghetti bolognaise with no spaghetti or risotto with no rice....is a strange meal. It's a shame because he loves both and does indulge himself occasionally. 

I wish you well with your recovery. My advice would be ....don't stress about foodstuffs or products. Change the things you feel comfortable changing. Eat sensibly. Prepare what you can for yourself so you know what you're eating.....this is good for weight loss too if you want to lose a few pounds......and don't deprive yourself of the things you really enjoy unless you know it's really bad for your health......

Take care. Love Karen

My oncologist said diet doesn't make any difference to breast cancer, but a healthy diet i always a good idea for your overall health. I was pretty much doing most of the thing you might think of for years before BC diagnosis, so it didn't make a difference to me getting it! But I feel I was able to cope with chemo and all the other treatment well . Chemo was tough but I have bounced back. I'm also pretty active with running, walking etc.

The things I was already doing: natural deodorant, SLS/paraben free shampoo, conditioner, shower gels, I only drink green tea or herbals, I don't drink milk though I do eat cheese and yoghurt, I have turmeric and magnesium daily. The list goes on! The only thing I've done since BC is reduced alcohol and started eating kefir! The kefir as really good for my tummy during chemo, though I avoided it for the first few days as it was probably a prohibited food for chemo! I just needed my good bacteria to be replenished.

Anyway, if you feel your diet is unhealthy, then changing it is only going to do you good, BC or no BC. And if BC has been the wake up call you needed, then something great has come of it!  Change your diet, get out walking every day, these things are good for your mind as well as body.

Go for it!

There is some limited evidence about dairy which contains hormones affecting hormone positive breast cancer,  and evidence that intermittent fasting if at least 13 hours reduces risk by a third.  Tofu and soya are considered ok, but not soya isolate as it's refined and is used in some vegan food. The jury is out on turmeric,  which helps reduce inflammation and pain from hormone blockers but may raise oestrogen levels in high doses.  I was also told that regular drinking is not a good idea as it raises hormone levels,  and from the US BC forums that THC is a big no-no, but CBD is ok for those you take it

Thanks all will have a read and make healthier choices and get moving x

Thanks for the info, very interesting.

I exercise loads and there have been lots of studies showing exercise to be one of the best ways to prevent recurrence, so I know I'm getting that bit right!

I had read mixed reports on drinking alcohol - some studies say that once you've already had BC, then it doesn't make much difference to risk of recurrence, though I have naturally cut down and don't drink much. I asked my oncologist specifically about drinking as I was feeling guilty whenever I had even one drink. He said as long as you don't binge, then it's fine, and I never binge drink.

My other oncologist early on said diet makes no difference, but agree there are mixed reports about a lot of things.

I actually avoid soya as any time I used to drink it as a milk substitute, it made my boobs sore so figured it was too much oestrogen (it is one of the top phytoestrogens and most studies say to err on the side of caution and avoid them after BC diagnosis). I was taking a soya supplement before BC diagnosis as it was brilliant for perimenopause symptoms, and half of me thinks it was one of the causes of my hormone positive BC

The milk/dairy products is an interesting one. I just read a research paper that said some studies show oestrogens in milk to encourage prostate cancer but to have a negative effect on BC (as in keeps it away)

However, having read the article, there are so many other things in dairy products (progesterone, steroids) that it is enough to put you off! I gave up milk 10 years ago as I realised it gave my migraines, but still eat yoghurt and cheese.

I think diet is such a difficult one as studies show different things all the time. I think if you are eating wholegrains, non-processed and non-refined foods etc then the rest is probably not enough to worry about.

I try to eat healthily and exercise plenty (cardio and strength) and maintain a healthy weight. I don't eat gluten as it makes me feel ill so no bread, cakes etc. I think I probably do better than most diet-wise and you can't be a saint.