Hi all, I have done chemo from Feb to April after surgery in Dec. Radiotherapy was done in May. My herceptin treatment will continue till next Feb. I thought that was it, until I heard several cases of cancer recurrence around me!!! Ok, to be exact, at least 7-8 cases. Most of them are breast cancer cases but there were 2-3 other cancers. Some of them came back within months, some a few years and even one after a decade. These negative news unnerved and puzzled me.So I started to researching the many questions I had.I wonder if you ladies ever experience this (hearing negative news like that)? Do you ever ask why?My researching seems to point out that lifestyle (physical, emotional, mental) and diet changes are extremely important to avoid a recurrence. I read about how animal protein promotes cancer growth. And I have made further adjustments to my diet. I hardly take animal protein and it's been a few months now... not easy cos I need to feed a family who still eats meat. Has anyone heard about the Gerson Therapy? Apparently lots of cancer patients benefited from this therapy. And it's beneficial for even patients who have done the conventional treatments.

Interesting topic. I'd be interested to know if there have been any permanent food changes that people have made post treatment e.g. Avoiding alcohol, reducing chocolate, etc. cheers, Jen.

Healthy diet, all things in moderation still seems the best advice. I may be wrong but I understood that the Gerson diet had been found to be ineffective and possibly dangerous in more than one analysis by a reputable body. Australians tend to eat quite a bit of meat so less meat, more fish, more veggies sounds a good idea. I have pulled back my dairy fat a bit but still drink low/no fat milk as I need to keep up my calcium levels. I also take a calcium supplement. Not eating triple cream Brie however is possibly good for all sorts of things, including my weight! Hard to find anyone who advocates for alcohol, although an occasional glass is probably OK. I work on the basis that 4 squares (no more!) of very dark chocolate may be beneficial.......

Some links with a reputable review based on it's scientific research...which didn't seem to happen. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/gersonhttps://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/gerson-pdqWell after a quick read I'd be giving the Gerson diet a miss. If it was affective and found more than 60 years ago ...well it would be standard treatment.Basically a general well balanced diet are health recommendations. Not too many processed meats. Limited alcohol and lots of water.https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-prevention/diet-exercise/nutrition-and-diet/

The only thing I read everywhere is that being overweight is a risk factor in both initial cancer and reoccurrence.I haven't seen anywhere that it says why, but I would think that would point to having a healthy diet and being your ideal weight.I am trying to change my lifestyle to do just that.

If you have a look at the recent research on this website, specifically the Edith Cowan University exercise program results I think it will give you a different perspective on exercise. I'm very excited about it as it's up the road from me! Must add that I have been shocking with exercise all my life but this is amazing stuff. Sensible diet and exercise is basically the best you can do I think ... but open to other suggestions!

Lifestyle and Diet Changes After Cancer.

31 Replies

au0rei
Member
8 years ago

Twiggyjumps said:

I've got friends that drink excessively and smoke and nothing apart from their grey looking skin and more wrinkles. I've tried to be balanced and eat fairly well. And this happens. Sucks! So here I am at Maccas - may as well have some enjoyment. Lol :)

Tell me about it lol. My dad who's turning 70 smokes (a different kind of smoking not the typical cigarette) and cooks out of aluminium! Sometimes I just think that some people's bodies are more efficient at toxin removal? I also do not have the answers haha. I try my best to eat healthy now compared to all the 40 years I did not, it has been the best decision. And i am happy too. There are so many new healthy options and alternatives I have found, not just for myself but for my kids. So I am happy. I still snack on some healthy dark choc (I wasn't even a choc fan before haha) and yummy vegan muffins. xxx
au0rei
Member
8 years ago
Hi all, I keep reading about studies using minority or small figures but this one is a huge one over 26 years :smile:

https://www.bookdepository.com/China-Study-T-Colin-Campbell/9781932100662

The documentary Forks Over Knives is based on this study.

We are constantly exposed to toxins in our food and environment etc... in fact one that was mentioned in the China Study is carcinogenic aflatoxin which can cause cancer and animal products actually promote cancer growth. Aflatoxins is commonly found in plant foods (peanuts corn....) if care is not given. Aflatoxin is just one of them.

Also I totally agree about doing what makes us feel happy but it can be subjective too. I do not deny that vegetarians or vegans get cancer or other affluent diseases too but a good diet can be subjective again. I totally feel that our modern diet is questionable as affluent countries have high rate of these types of diseases.

Sometimes we really need to research to educate ourselves. And this world is very confusing because every one has his or her opinion including doctors and nutritionits!!! I still feel that knowledge is power and we can make informed decisions about our life but not to be caught up in it and be driven by fear...

I used to be an avid gardener but I also used chemical fertilizers and pesticides (though I tried to be as safe as I could but i was not actually educated). I did not actually value organic food as I do now despite being a gardener back then. It was more like a hobby. Now I am back to gardening and would do all that I can to provide true organic produce for my family.

xxx
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
It seems to be in constant debate and there just isn't any. I too have changed up how I eat and it's great, I feel great! exercise makes me feel great too..BUT it has zero bearing on BC they are not intertwined. So many benefits from doing it all...but it's purely because it makes you feel good.

I think if there were a study done..the only common denominator across the world could possibly be is Stress...and I wouldnt be surprised to hear that most women have always put themselves last, I was one of those Women. This was a key component in it all that had to change...self nurture in anyway shape or form whatever that looks like to you :)

Don't twist yourselves inside out for prevention in diet or exercise honestly...just do what makes you feel good!!! inside and out!!! that's it. Remember that all Studies are only minority studies thats why each week we have a different food or diet that either causes or prevents BC...every Professional will tell you that.

xx Hugs Melinda
au0rei
Member
8 years ago

Afraser said:

Hard to see how healthy eating can be bad, it's just not necessarily a protection or a cure (take that, Paleo Pete!!). Negative stress (a little bit of occasional stress may be quite good for us) can certainly cause a number of physical health problems, but the evidence that it can cause cancer is weak. Some studies have indicated a link between various psychological factors and an increased risk of developing cancer, but others have not.
People under stress may smoke, overeat or drink alcohol, which can increase a person’s risk for cancer. And some who do these things never get cancer - my lifelong pipe smoking grandfather, who died because his heart stopped at 94, hardly ever saw a doctor, let alone get cancer! A family may have a higher risk for cancer because of an inherited risk factor, which must be stressful but it's not the stress that causes the illness to another family member, it's the inherited risk. I have limited my intake of dairy fat because of a study about breast cancer recurrence, but I also note that the study did not factor in how many of the women surveyed (also no food diary!) had discontinued hormonal therapy. Given Australian stats are that nearly 60% of women don't complete their 5 or 10 years, that might make a significant difference. Or not.
One day we will know for sure what causes cancers but not yet. My own entirely unqualified opinion is that it may be an accumulation of factors that tips the balance. Which is not much comfort, but "putting something better in our bodies" sounds a good idea anyway.

@Afraser
hi, totally agree that sometime soon a combo of factors can tip the scale over! :(
au0rei
Member
8 years ago

Summerhill38 said:

I have always eaten a healthy diet and yet I now have no boob !!!
Whilst diet may help it must not be the only thing. Stress is also an issue but most ladies have some stresses in their lives.

@Summerhill38 I thought I had a healthy diet too esp compared with my hubby who ate unhealthily and never had cancer! What is your definition of healthy? It can be subjective
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Hard to see how healthy eating can be bad, it's just not necessarily a protection or a cure (take that, Paleo Pete!!). Negative stress (a little bit of occasional stress may be quite good for us) can certainly cause a number of physical health problems, but the evidence that it can cause cancer is weak. Some studies have indicated a link between various psychological factors and an increased risk of developing cancer, but others have not.
People under stress may smoke, overeat or drink alcohol, which can increase a person’s risk for cancer. And some who do these things never get cancer - my lifelong pipe smoking grandfather, who died because his heart stopped at 94, hardly ever saw a doctor, let alone get cancer! A family may have a higher risk for cancer because of an inherited risk factor, which must be stressful but it's not the stress that causes the illness to another family member, it's the inherited risk. I have limited my intake of dairy fat because of a study about breast cancer recurrence, but I also note that the study did not factor in how many of the women surveyed (also no food diary!) had discontinued hormonal therapy. Given Australian stats are that nearly 60% of women don't complete their 5 or 10 years, that might make a significant difference. Or not.
One day we will know for sure what causes cancers but not yet. My own entirely unqualified opinion is that it may be an accumulation of factors that tips the balance. Which is not much comfort, but "putting something better in our bodies" sounds a good idea anyway.
CellyK
Member
8 years ago
@au0rei - Great to see that you're enjoying your new choices. I didn't mention that since my new focus on healthy eating, my skin looking great, I'm really regular and am losing weight. All pleasant 'side effects'. Only thing is - I didn't have much 'meat on my bones' to begin with - so now have to look for more energy rich foods to keep the weight on! Which can and does include cheesecake :p
@Summerhill38 is right that chronic stress is a major factor - and yes us women are prone to run around 'carrying the load'. I was under a huge amount of stress in the 2 years leading to my diagnosis, a relationship breakup, moving house, money stress, a child with extra needs, and family court to boot. I'm totally convinced that stress played a big part.
Having said that - really nutritious food (which can taste great if you have good recipes) gives your body a better chance to cope with the strain - and to heal. Stress depletes our bodies of nutrients - and toxins can build up too.
So exercise is a big part of it as well. I used to think I had kinda healthy habits. But really looking at it seriously - I was getting pretty lazy on a day to day basis. Always too busy to get something fresh.
Now it's like a daily 'devotion' - in actions - I remind myself that I matter. (And others can wait!!) That it's worth stopping - and putting something better into my body.
June1952
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Twiggyjumps
.... and enjoy a wonderful mug of strong coffee whilst there !
Summer :-)
Twiggyjumps
Member
8 years ago
I've got friends that drink excessively and smoke and nothing apart from their grey looking skin and more wrinkles. I've tried to be balanced and eat fairly well. And this happens. Sucks! So here I am at Maccas - may as well have some enjoyment. Lol :)
June1952
Member
8 years ago
I have always eaten a healthy diet and yet I now have no boob !!!
Whilst diet may help it must not be the only thing. Stress is also an issue but most ladies have some stresses in their lives.