Hello all, I have been on the site more lately, you all help when things get you down. Just read Stop the Bullshit and it made me put this in writing. We all have been told (a lot) that studies show exercise and healthy diet after diog can lessen chance of reoccurrence... I say If we got the cancer in the first place while we were exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle WHY?? And what about all of us who struggle with living healthily as a result of the treatment undergone.. are we courting a reoccurrence?? I was shocked while I was having treatment, I talked to many of the ladies in the chemo ward over the 16months , many of them led very healthy lifestyles, far too many of them were way too young (Iexpected a lot of older ladies) and when you added up how busy that ward was, it really hit home the sheer numbers of people with cancers of all sorts.

As my breast surgeon says, what causes cancer is still a mystery but we are getting a lot better at treating it. With some cancers we can say that the evidence is in, that some activity adds greatly to our risk, like smoking. But recent reports have indicated that possibly a majority of cancers are just bad luck - cells did the wrong thing. We don't fully know, but every month we seem to learn more.Not much consolation for those who have been diagnosed. But may make a big difference for our kids. In the meantime sticking with our healthy eating, exercise, looking after ourselves regimen is unlikely to do any harm and may do us a lot of good. It's not fair, but cancer isn't a personal attack, on our minds or our bodies. Something went wrong, for whatever reason and we have to do the best we can while we find out more.

I think that this advice stems from research that shows some lifestyle choices increase the chances of getting cancer. Personally, I think some of that research is a bit wobbly, but that's the current stance. Stories that came out last week suggest it just bad luck.I agree that when you already have the disease and have tried to look after yourself, suggestions that looking after yourself will reduce your chances of recurrence are not helpful. Trying to boil it down to something you may or may not have done in the past will do your head in.

Thankyou, you have such a sensible way of looking at things. I suppose I was just saying I wish they would censor some of there findings, till they find more. It can be more damaging and stressful than need be. On a happier note my son solved that age old question recently - what came first the chicken or the egg?? The frigging rooster that's what. In other words Mum stop trying to find and answer for the unknown!!

@HIT THANK YOU!!! This is something I have been saying the entire time I have been on this Forum. Nobody fits the criteria according to the experts on contributors to getting Breast Cancer. Most women were healthy and exercised but still got it. THATS WHY I say everything in moderation, if exercising makes you happy do it, if changing up your diet a little does, do that too...thats it nothing more. You always hear another food pop up that you shouldnt eat HAHA! because that causes it too. Specialists at Rehab said all of it is minority studies that its just commonsense, like everything eat a well balanced diet and exercise. It has nothing to do with Cancer or whether you'll get it again. Ive had it twice!!!! I did all the right things???!!!! ummmm haha! sorry but I agree with you. There is NO RHYME OR REASON AND IT DOESNT DISCRIMINATE Healthy fit or not... Hugs Melinda xo

@HIT I wish there was an answer to the question why does anybody get cancer. There are so many theories. So you get to the point when you get the all clear. What next? Plenty of things to explore and do healthwise but there are no guarantees.I will probably explore a few.I suppose live life to the fullest is not a bad idea. So join me in a glass of wine ,cheese and crackers maybe strawberries ,grapes chocolate too. Lets toast that at this moment we are here and life is good tomorrow is tomorrow.

Exercise / Healthy Diet after BC | BCNA Online Network

primek
Member
8 years ago
Thanks @Cosette_BCNA for the article. But I say...for really true stats on familial genetic cancers they need to start doing dna testing on all women diagnosed..bet they'd find new abnormal significant genes then.
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Thanks Cosette!

I do believe in Karma LOL but Cancer doesnt have anything to do with that...and karma is different it comes around in different and unexpected ways.

I too was at a very stressful time in my life when I had my first diagnosis...my Mum had passed suddenly, I lost my Marriage, I sold my home, and had to move my 2 kids and myself and work full time. Lots happening and then bam!! Though 2015 life was pretty good, not stressful or things going on...so there you go.

What I have learnt in 6 years though is this, for me its partly about self awareness and self nurture. Things there are just not time for and I realised as in 2011 and 2015 I still hadnt learnt that lesson for myself. So for me it wasnt about diet or exercise, but more about nurturing, putting me above everyone else for the first time in my life even when I felt I shouldnt and couldnt....I did. I learnt I was important I take time for me...big lesson for me...so everyones different. BUT NOBODY does anything to bring it on themselves. x
au0rei
Member
8 years ago

Cosette_BCNA said:

Hi everyone. This article was shared with me and I thought you would find it interesting.

'Bad luck' mutations increase cancer risk more than behavior, study says

When I first read the comments in this discussion, I was reminded of Hong's story where she said that Vietnamese women often think people get breast cancer because of karma. This can lead to stigma and being ostracized. I thought that was very sad. People don't do anything or not do something to get cancer. It's mostly just bad luck.

Oh I don't believe in karma because lots of evil people out there are living a good health! But I do believe you do reap what you sow at some point on your life journey, is that karma? Haha...

It's so sad that it's just luck. I don't wish to believe that. I want to believe there is a reason why things happen the way it did. I really do feel that stress plus a lot of factors last year caused things to go wrong for me as it was the most difficult year I ever had. But well, I also shouldn't ask too much it's no point, it's good I am making positive changes in my life, that's truly what matters.

And for me, I want to say without God, I wouldn't be able to go through all this. I will probably go into melt-downs each day get into some mental institution or die of cancer (which I never want to!!!) So I am just going to keep trusting Him for my health with all the positive changes I am making. xxx
Cosette
Member
8 years ago
Hi everyone. This article was shared with me and I thought you would find it interesting.

'Bad luck' mutations increase cancer risk more than behavior, study says

When I first read the comments in this discussion, I was reminded of Hong's story where she said that Vietnamese women often think people get breast cancer because of karma. This can lead to stigma and being ostracized. I thought that was very sad. People don't do anything or not do something to get cancer. It's mostly just bad luck.
au0rei
Member
9 years ago

Zoffiel said:

Both my BCs have come to the surface after times of intense stress. There were ten years between them, which tells me that the disease never went away but my immune system was able to cope with it. Until things went wrong.
I wasn't surprised when I was first diagnosed. I wasn't surprised when it came back. I was, and still am, a drinking, smoking rooting, tooting piece of work. On occasions I'm a great big fat example of bad health. Sometimes I'm an unstoppable exercise junky who does wicked things when there is wine, food and drugs around. Phfft. Does it really matter? Sort of like pranging the car then having buyer remorse because you bought the wrong model.
Rear view mirrors are useful until you hit something you didn't look for. Then it's too late.

You are so brave. I do believe our immune system is such so amazing until something goes wrong. It's much like garden soil. I remember a lesson learnt a few years ago while I was into gardening. When the soil in the patch was so good, the vegetables grew so well and no bugs came to attack them. I was so amazed that i needed no extra protection like net:pensive: or sprays and need not be diagnosing diseases among the veges. But there were many times when the soil somewhere else in the garden were not good and plants grew and full of insect attacks and they grew poorly. Sorry for the gardening rant :P
au0rei
Member
9 years ago

Soldier Crab said:

I feel guilty that I always had my mobile phone tucked into my bra exactly where my lumps were! Did that cause it.... ?

Who knows? Don't do that anymore lol. I am pretty careful with my mobile only place i tucked it is my bum pocket. But I still got it. xx
au0rei
Member
9 years ago

Karenhappyquilter said:

I was and am overweight and had a very stressful time with my father maybe eighteen months or so before I was diagnosed. At diagnosis I was very happily retired enjoying my life with my husband, family, friends, dogs and my quilting. I have wondered whether the extreme stress with my father contributed to my cancer, or was it simply my fault for being overweight or just bad luck. I had mastitis with my first baby. I didn't take the pill for long and never took HRT. A light drinker most of my life. An intermittent excerciser. I had a benign lump removed from the same breast that got cancer many years ago. It was always a lumpy breast. I used to check the lumps there but ridiculously didn't find the lump of my cancer, now wish I had found it earlier. Thank goodness for Breast Screen Australia and regular mammograms. No family history of BC. I feel guilty about my weight. What overweight person doesn't? But thin fit healthy eating women can get BC and all the overweight women out there don't all get it, just some of us. I don't suppose I will ever know why I got it. I will die a long time in the future I hope without medical science solving that conundrum. My oncologist said, the main causes of BC are being a woman and age. I am glad he did not lecture me on my weight.

Oh hun, I am skinny lol hope that gives you some comfort. It's not fat or skinny. I do not have family history either. I really do think lifestyle and stress are big causes to spark off some craziness in our body. I had mastitis and now i can't even remember if it's right or left breast but I think it's the same breast that had cancer. Now my mindset is all changed and I will do anything to reduce stress in my life mentally or physically. Not easy with young kids but I have to constantly remind myself to be thankful that I can be a mum!!! Yes i have seen women who are vegans and who exercise a lot get BC too. I hear that over exercise can cause BC too go figure! At least we do not get prostate issues! xx
Karenhappyquilt
Member
9 years ago
I was and am overweight and had a very stressful time with my father maybe eighteen months or so before I was diagnosed. At diagnosis I was very happily retired enjoying my life with my husband, family, friends, dogs and my quilting. I have wondered whether the extreme stress with my father contributed to my cancer, or was it simply my fault for being overweight or just bad luck. I had mastitis with my first baby. I didn't take the pill for long and never took HRT. A light drinker most of my life. An intermittent excerciser. I had a benign lump removed from the same breast that got cancer many years ago. It was always a lumpy breast. I used to check the lumps there but ridiculously didn't find the lump of my cancer, now wish I had found it earlier. Thank goodness for Breast Screen Australia and regular mammograms. No family history of BC. I feel guilty about my weight. What overweight person doesn't? But thin fit healthy eating women can get BC and all the overweight women out there don't all get it, just some of us. I don't suppose I will ever know why I got it. I will die a long time in the future I hope without medical science solving that conundrum. My oncologist said, the main causes of BC are being a woman and age. I am glad he did not lecture me on my weight.
Butterfly_40
Member
9 years ago

fairydust said:
I suppose live life to the fullest is not a bad idea. So join me in a glass of wine ,cheese and crackers maybe strawberries ,grapes chocolate too. Lets toast that at this moment we are here and life is good tomorrow is tomorrow.

@fairydust I am so in love for what your saying! I will certainly join with you, and toast for this moment we are here with a glass of wine, cheese and crackers maybe strawberries, grapes and chocolate too......
SoldierCrab
Member
9 years ago
I feel guilty that I always had my mobile phone tucked into my bra exactly where my lumps were! Did that cause it.... ?