Diet, exercise, lifestyle to decrease the risk of BC recurrence
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Thanks@Deanne, I too think that when we get to fully understand cancer (and we will) it is likely to be combinations of certain factors that trigger the disease. Which is why it's hard to fathom now and why everyone has examples of people who did all the "right" things and still got cancer. Fresh food, small portions, exercise, mental wellbeing are all good for anyone. Overall lack of care of our body and brain is good for no-one. But those recovering and fatigued have to take it slowly to build their capacity, rather than overdo it, fail and give up - whether that's exercise, calming the mind, getting back to work, or building a new normal.7
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@Wildplaces
Good Morning! I hope you are a little more settled into this forum and that your comment about withdrawing from this discussion and or here, not sure which, was an over-reaction! We are all different in where we are at in our journey, treatment et cetera and how it affects us.
How about you start a new post to tell us a little about yourself.
Within here you have given a precis however, I am sure a fresh post you will find lots of support and care. If you hit the BCNA website button up the top you will find a plethora of information that maybe relevant to you. Here's a link to one of those information sheets that maybe or was relevant to you and or your own friends
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/talking-to-family-and-friends/telling-your-children/
Don't know your age group but there are groups on here that maybe relevant, for example
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-women
As to quoting from differing studies, quite often they are minority studies. BCNA have moderators who will clarify any links that we put up within posts. The topic that you chose here is relevant to us all
Take care, we are all here to help each other
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Its a curly dilemma. Thankfully, most people with first hand experience of BC realise that there is no way of keeping yourself safe. That even those who lead the most exemplary lives can fall foul of this disease.
I'm far from a paragon but learned a long time ago that if I make some effort to look after myself I feel better. Which hasn't stopped me oscillating from health nut to drug wrecked and back again in a pretty much perpetual cycle. In the last thirty years my weight has yoyoed with variants of up to 30kg. None of this is good, but it's also not easy to maintain any constant. Many, many things come into play, and not all of them are obvious to even the closest observer.
What isn't helpful is anything that creeps into the victim blaming space. 'If only you'd taken better care of yourself.' Gee. Thanks. When, precisely? And when, precisely, did those who have done everything ''right' fuck up so badly they got the booby prize too?
Having had a recurrence after ten years, I'm pretty much resolved to the idea this shit will never go away. That it will get me eventually, unless one of my other high risk activities gets me first. I try hard to manage the damage that treatment has done, not in the hope of putting the brakes on the cancer, but more with the idea I'd rather be functional for as long as possible.
Over the years I have seen people soooo bitterly disappointed when they have pulled out all the stops and tried really, really hard to diet, exercise, pray and supplement their way to cancer free status. It is heartbreaking. One of the advantages of being a pessimist is you are rarely disappointed.
Just do your best, try as hard as your will permits and understand there is no magic bullet. Common sense should prevail. Mxxx10 -
Now this is what the Forum in all the time I've been here is about, @tonyaM @Deanne @Romla @Molly001 @Afraser @primek @Zoffiel @iserbrown and everyone else who have added in a very loving way here.
I couldnt have said it better the way Marg @Zoffiel just posted and I completely reiterate this...for me I hate seeing people killing themselves believing IF they had just exercised more, ate differently or did things differently they wouldnt be on this bus. The truth is none of that is true...I also get for many it is a sense of control so doing all those things that THEY say to prevent makes them feel much more in control. Experience and not just my own has taught me that its just not true. My point was and still is just do the things that matter to you. All studies are just that minority, thats why there are sooo many things we can't have? or contribute lol. Hmmm Green Tea whoa!!!! I have drank that all my life, so I shouldnt have gotten it once let alone twice??
I do share the thoughts of @zoffiel very much, I eat so well and on the days when my compromised body from chemo and meds allows me I will ride my exercise bike or go for a walk. I walk 10,000 everyday in my job. So for a treat last night I had icecream and chocolate woo hoo hahaha!!! because I deserved it and enjoyed it and its about living.
Exercise is mandatory in this life for well being period...nothing to do with BC and Professionals will tell you that. Ladies I love a good recipe and have done a heap of things spent with my exercise physiologist for over a year. Ive done it all and Im in a great place....am I naive to think I wont fall 3rd time...hell no...
Live the good life, it comes back to self....nurturing and loving who you are however that looks to you. Anyone who knows me here knows my comments come from a heartfelt and honest place. Ive spent many nights offering a kind word to help others through what is an extremely difficult journey...all because I know what those moments feel like.
Much love everyone! Melinda xo
@Molly001 I just wanted to say, you are an absolute love!! biggest of hugs to you sweet..I hope you are doing OK!11 -
Sending you all a virtual hug xoxo2
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It has been very interesting reading everyone's posts.
There is so much care for others displayed even though most of us are strangers to each other.
My husband asked me to mention Kerryn McCann, the dual Commonwealth Games marathon runner who died from breast cancer nearly 10 years ago aged 41. How much more exercise could a person do? How much fitter could you be?6 -
Kerryn McCann - goodness! I just looked it up and it was 2008!0
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I don't think I suggested or implied that green tea would prevent breast cancer or a recurrence. Just mentioned it because the title of this post was Diet, Exercise & Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Recurrence and a lot of the research I've read indicates that it may help reduce the likelihood of recurrence. I think we all agree that the jury is still out on what causes breast cancer and it's probably a complicated combination of things and that we should never blame ourselves for getting this wretched disease, ever.
But I don't think that means we should ignore and dismiss all research that shows some promise in reducing our risks of breast cancer or any other cancer for that matter. Perhaps there are small tweaks we can make to our diets and lifestyle that really do reduce the risk. Of course there are no guarantees no matter what you do but I think these things are worth investigating and, if they do no harm, giving them a try.
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Hello everyone,
Thank you for your posts. There is evidence regarding exercise reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence and BCNA will respond officially to this question tomorrow.
There has been lots of discussion in this thread from yesterday when I last logged in. I am sorry to read that some of you have been very upset by this discussion and as a result I will be touching base with some of you privately. We really hope that this forum is a supportive, safe and caring environment for all to post and have your say and to feel well supported.
A reminder about our community guidelines always be pleasant and treat others with respect, we appreciate that there will be many different points of views and opinions and encourage you all to be respectful of each others comments. Be mindful of the words you use when posting, own your own words. Respect other people’s views and consider your impact on others when making a contribution. We really want our members to enjoy the network so please remember that everyone's personal circumstance are different. Dont hesitate to contact myself Giovanna_BCNA or Marianne_BCNA if you have any questions or concerns.5 -
Hello @Wildplaces I have changed the title of this thread as requested.0
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Giovanna - thank you - it is more accurate.
(Early detection and prevention is often used when addressing screening - and few assume that having the mammogram will mean you don't get breast cancer....hence my ...)
I am encouraged by the number of visits the thread reached in a very short time.
I hope the visits were a reflection of the genuine wish of the community to be engaged in constructive conversation about lifestyle modification following any major illness but particularly breast cancer.
I look forward to hearing what the BCNA position on exercise is, and whether it aligns with the NBCF.
https://nbcf.org.au/news/research-news/two-studies-show-impact-of-exercise-on-breast-cancer/
The biggest problem - now I speak for myself alone, is trying to fit those requirements into a lifetstyle that flows and is fulfilling - ie trying to take care of myself while taking care of my family, and working, and....
It was my reason for starting the thread.
I came here to share two years after my treatment not because I looked for support but because I believe there is something we can all teach each other - a collective wisdom of survival.
I had lots of time to read on chemo last year so I know the numbers and I can read numbers ( please don't take that as anything more than I am ok with maths) - ( alas I didn't post the data on nutrition, and it goes way beyond being overweight) BUT here is the crunch - the reality test - tell me wise ladies of the BCNA - how do we make it fit in.
Did I follow it before diagnosis?? - no, I worked 80 hours per week before diagnosis and never crossed my mind I could get sick. Did that make me get BC ?? Heck no, we don't understand why although pieces of the puzzle now exist.
How do we incorporate it into life, how do we get back on the horse when we fall, how do
we change cooking for a family, how do we deal with supermarkets when perhaps we would prefer 9pm fresh open air markets and farmers...
A word on the recipes - I have many cooking books (am of that generation, like to hold something ) and still the things I cook are the things that have been taught to me by family and friends. I like a recipe that has been crafted by five different women before me.
A thread is only as good as the people who contribute to it are - to those who contributed with fragments of their lives in the hope that something might have meaning to another - thank you - if this is valuable to you please continue to post.0 -
Hi @Wildplaces exercise was never a favourite of mine though I didn’t mind if it was chasing a ball .I too had a busy working life and a family to look after.
It took a 76year old breast cancer veteran survivor to pull me up short about not having time to exercise.She told me she has been getting up at 6am every morning for 20 years since diagnosis to go for a one hour walk as that was the only time there were no interruptions. She does it rain or shine as it makes her feel better and more able to manage her day. She also said it required no fancy equipment just a good pair of shoes.
I walk daily for an hour and the terrain is hilly. Occasionally I miss if it’s raining or very hot.I work usually around 9 as my kids are at school and now around 4pm when they get home before dinner -it used to be after dinner but daylight saving has ended.
If I miss a walk I notice it. Walking gives me “me”time and a chance to think.My family accept this and my husband also walks now but is a lot faster.I am not fond of silence so listen to music on my phone which I have on a runner’s band on my arm.I enjoy music and drift off forgetting I am exercising.
Walking is sometimes hard because of joint pain as I am on Letrozole as my breast cancer is Er+.However I have learnt I can walk thru this after a short while and it also counters stiffness I used to have getting up in the morning.I am hoping it helps lower my cholesterol as another side effect of Letrozole has been a spike in my formerly good cholesterol.Letrozole plus I guess the whole breast cancer experience at times lowers my mood bringing on the blues and the walk releases endorphins which help with this as well.Letrozole also thins bones and as I already had osteoporosis I hope walking will help with this.
I too have read and been told about the benefits of exercise in the prevention of recurrence so that is also another reason I walk.
I also do a gentle Stretch and Balance class twice weekly involving light weights primarily to help my joints but it also has brought me laughter and fun which I also think helps.Weight bearing exercise also helps with osteoporosis .@Deanne has told us about the wonderful work The Bone Clinic and Griffith Uni in Qld are doing in this regard.
Finally I think I have become a little selfish with my time which is how I have been able to make time to fit exercise in and this is accepted by my family.But also I exercise for many reasons.
Getting back on the horse ? I fall off frequently - I get up , dust myself off and get back on again. Occasionally someone gives me a lift up.The important thing is to try - falling off is normal.
Glad to see you back!
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Guys, I posted this a little while ago but I reckon it needs another run!Compelled to shout out
about the benefit of exercise despite any physical limitations. I have bone and
brains mets. I have always been active but last year certainly tested my
resolve. I had fractures and both femurs due to the affects of a bone
density drug. I now have rods in both femurs. Return to mobility
was arduous as I re-fractured around the rods twice in both legs which set me
back twice after surgery. To think end of 2016 I was in a
wheelchair and now feeling better than ever.
I thank the team at St. Vincents who first
started me with hydro therapy to get my muscles activated again which then followed
with gym sessions that were designed to improve my balance and strength.
At that time I registered with Plenty Valley Community Health (03 9409 8787). I am now doing two
gym sessions, designed for me, under supervision out of Mill Park YMCA at a
cost of $5.50 per session and so enjoying it. I put on 10kgs in 2016 through inactivity. Thus far I have chipped off 8kgs and hope to be back
to my original weight soon. Had a set back with brsin surgery end of 2017 but looking forward to getting back into gym. The upshot is I am
so enjoying the exercise and interacting with people and my body has become so
much stronger. I now have confidence in my body which I had lost
completely. If you live in the Northern Suburbs, recommend you get in
touch. You will need a referral. As they say - you
lose it if you don't use it.7
This discussion has been closed.