healthy eating

Cobie I did heaps of reading on this - books and internet - when I was first diagnosed, plus I also attended a talk about cancer and nutrition at the Olivia Newton John cancer facitlity and I agree with Fiona. We just need to eat the same kind of balanced diet that is recommended for good health for everyone - lots of vegetables, some fruit, wholegrain products, plenty of fibre, fish, lean meat and avoid processed foods - espeically processed meats - and alcohol. I was told by my oncologist not to cut out dairy products because we need them for a balanced diet ie calcium. (Many of us that have ER+ BC end up having to take aromatase inhibitors which can weaken the bones so it's important to keep your calcium up.)

Having said that I have read that there is some scientific evidence that certain foods are associated with a reduced risk of cancer or cancer recurrance. That's not to say they will prevent cancer but they may create a less favorable environment in your body for cancer to grow. So in particular I try to include more broccoli, carrots, walnuts, green tea and apples in my diet. Pomegranate juice is also thought to have anti-cancer properties (although I find it unpleasantly sweet).  I try and avoid margerines and vegetable oils (I only use extra virgin olive oil). Sometimes I throw some extra flax seeds on my breakfast cereal. And of course it's important to get plenty of vitamin D - I take supplements for that. I will look forward to reading that new book too. I think while it's basically about a balanced diet with lots of vegies there are little tweaks we can make to our diets that may help. Best of luck Cobie. Janet.