A helpful book

That looks really interesting Dulciana , thanks! Xxx

In fact I liked the look of it so much that I’ve ordered a second hand copy from World of Books! 
I also went to a really helpful talk by a dietitian at Future Dreams House in London. I am only an hour away by train. But they do online stuff as well. It’s a charity for those affected by breast cancer (so family and friends can go too). Xx

So glad to hear that, HappyFeet1.   Future Dreams House sounds interesting, too - thanks for mentioning it.  I'm a long way from London but it's good to know they do online stuff too. 

Hi HappyFeet1.  Really hope you find interesting things in this book.  My starting points, so far, are: green tea, organic fruit &veg recommended by the author, plant-based cleaning materials and swapping plastic food containers for glass ones.  I'm making changes bit by bit but it feels quite reassuring and is quite fun to do.  All the best with your own findings 

Hi Dulciana , waiting for my book to arrive….

Since my diagnosis (nearly 6 years ago now) I’ve changed quite a lot of things but not all at once. Like you, I’ve got rid of a lot of plastic and ‘nasty’ chemicals from my life! I buy organic a lot of the time and have an organic box delivered once a fortnight. I don’t drink alcohol at all, wasn’t a big drinker but prefer just to stick with none, somehow it’s easier especially when out as no pressure to have another when I don’t have any! I’ve actually found other people’s attitudes harder than the actual giving up! I also fast overnight for 13 hours, sometimes more. I’d read a study which linked lower rates of recurrence for my type of breast cancer (oestrogen receptive) amongst patients who had more than 12 and a half hours between last evening food and breakfast. So I aim for 13. 
I found that walking was my sanity saver during radiotherapy and have continued with it over the years, adding in Nordic walking as this was recommended by the nurse for my breast lympheodema. I do a regular exercise class for those with a cancer diagnosis and even joined the gym where the class is held - never saw myself as a gym bunny!! 
I’ll be very interested to see the recommendations! Xxx

Hi HappyFeet1.   I'm really interested to learn about the 12.5 hours overnight fasting being linked to lower rates of oestrogen-receptive bc recurrence (my type also).  Fortunately, we eat fairly early pm and our breakfast rarely happens before 8am, so I think I'm on the right track here.  When I read about your exercise class, it reminded me to try phoning again about such exercise classes for myself - this time, I managed to get through to someone and they're going to arrange it.

My own journey only started in January of this year, so I'm still getting used to the whole new normal.   Music is the biggest stabiliser for me and now I'm looking forward to getting fit.   In the meantime, I've got two lidded glass jugs arriving tomorrow, so that milk, juice etc. can be decanted from their plastic bottles!  x

Hi Dulciana , I think my new normal is constantly evolving! Not everyone wants to look at these issues so I’m careful where I mention them, also some people just want to leave the whole cancer experience behind them as much as possible, which of course I respect. But for me, these lifestyle changes feel strangely empowering and they’re things I can control. Most are good for general health anyway, I think. I wouldn’t turn down the conventional treatments but like doing additional stuff that just might help to reduce my risk of recurrence. 
Re the overnight fasting study, I’ll try to post the link (someone here posted it originally but I can’t remember who!) 

Actually I can’t post the link! But if you Google ‘Prolonged nightly fasting and breast cancer prognosis‘ it should come up under NCMI. I bleep over most of it and just read the human stuff and mainly the conclusions. It’s clear that it’s not a definitive yes for the fasting but the lower recurrence rates were regarded as statistically significant. I do it as I can’t see anything against it and it might benefit me! 
I also went to a dietitian talk/ discussion at Future Dreams House a couple of years ago. The dietitian specialised in oncology, and was very interesting. She was also a fan of overnight fasting as a ‘way of life’, she advised a minimum of 12 hours but ideally 13-14. She didn’t think 16 hours was good long term (and I’d definitely find that hard whereas I find 13 hours reasonably easy, it’s just my first cup of tea that I really want but make do with hot water until it’s ‘time’!). It’s also meant to help with getting a better sleep. 

The glass lidded jugs sound good! Xx

Hi HappyFeet1.   "She was also a fan of overnight fasting as a ‘way of life’,"  This does sound good.  I shall give it a go.     Btw, in that book, the humble potato is described as a bit of a culprit but current thinking isn't so sure.  I suppose that's to be expected, as research goes on.   It's just a detail.                                                                                      

Yes it’s brilliant

sadly the guy who wrote it has since passed away but he WAY outlived all expectations 

A lot in there relevant for breast cancer