healthy eating

Hi all,

This is Annie from BCNA. We know many women diagnosed with breast cancer are really interested in maintaining a healthy diet, so it's great to see such a lively chat about this topic.

I thought I would jump in and mention that while you may hear about various diets for people diagnosed with cancer, there is no scientific evidence that women diagnosed with breast cancer need to follow a ‘special’ diet or eat particular foods to prevent the cancer returning. It is recommended that women with breast cancer follow the same dietary guidelines that are recommended to all Australian adults.

If you have a question about nutrition after a cancer diagnosis, the Cancer Council can help to clarify things. Their iHeard website (www.iheard.com.au) is dedicated to busting cancer-related myths. People can submit questions, and the Cancer Council will post responses based on the latest good quality evidence. You may find questions about nutrition and breast cancer on the website already, or if not.... why not post the question yourself? I'm sure there are other people out there who are wondering about the same thing.

 

Good luck,

 

~ Annie

I have just started on Arimidex, and have joined their Verve club, they send out a magazine. In the issue that I have just received there is an article Cancer- contesting cuisine, wish I could copy article for everyone, but here is a basic run down copied from the mag.

Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegies.

Carrots contain falcarinol which is a natural pesticide with anti-cancer action.  Eat raw or if cooking boil befor cutting.

Lentils - for their fibre 

Brussel sprouts/cabbage cauliflower and broccoli are cruciferous vegies, shown to protect against bc thanks to compounds called isothiocyanates anti cancer.

Parsley contains apigenin, an antioxidant that has a chemopreventive property, could help in the fight against bc.

Lychee's the juicy translucent pulp is a rich source of flavonoids that research suggest may kill breast cancer cells.

I thought mushrooms were good as well, especially shitake - the American Cancer Society have an article on this to google.

Not sure if you can go to the Arimidex site and look at this magazine which is for breast cancer Welcome issue,  also in the mag are the latest results of ATAC research (Arimidex,Tamoxifen, Alone or Combination), which I did look up (thank you Mr Google) and is worth reading for those who are unsure about taking this drug. 

Viv

 

I had heard that mushrooms were great anti cancer food too.  I hate it when we hear conflicting advice like this.

How do we know what is true?

Julia

Thanks Cathy,

All the evidence I have read and a well known naturopath told me the best thing you can do is have mushrooms they are like a 'bomb' going off. In Japan they actually encourage this with chemotherapy as they apprently enhance immune system. Food for thought. I also found this article interesting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5000582/Eating-mushrooms-daily-may-cut-breast-cancer-risk-by-two-thirds.html

Jo

Thanks Cathy,

All the evidence I have read and a well known naturopath told me the best thing you can do is have mushrooms they are like a 'bomb' going off. In Japan they actually encourage this with chemotherapy as they apprently enhance immune system. Food for thought. I also found this article interesting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5000582/Eating-mushrooms-daily-may-cut-breast-cancer-risk-by-two-thirds.html

Jo

Hi Joanne,

According to Ian Gawler the occasional mushroom is okay on his healing diet, but my naturopath said not to eat them at all.  I didn't question why, because I really don't like them anyway!  I think when making dietary choices it is a good idea to be under the supervision of a good naturopath.

Cathy

 

I would also like to know why mushrooms should be avoided as all the info I have found points to them being very helpful. They are a natural aromatose inhibitor so would actually help with estrogen positive cancers. Deanne xx

I too had ER and PR+ breast cancer, can I ask why you don't eat mushrooms? I have been told to eat them.........I don't like them so I take them in a supplement. I hope I am doing the right thing.

 

Joanne

I too had ER and PR+ breast cancer, can I ask why you don't eat mushrooms? I have been told to eat them.........I don't like them so I take them in a supplement. I hope I am doing the right thing.

 

Joanne

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.