Lifestyle and Diet Changes After Cancer.

Hi all, I just wanted to jump in and share some links to BCNA and the Cancer Council's resources about healthy eating and cancer. Like many of you have said, if you are thinking about making significant changes to your diet, it is important to talk to your doctor because they will be able to give you the best information based on available evidence.

While you might hear about special diets, such as the Gerson diet or coffee enemas, there is no credible evidence that alternative therapies are effective in treating breast cancer, even though they are often marketed as being a 'cure'. Also, there is no scientific evidence that women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer need to follow any special diet or eat particular foods to prevent a recurrence. It is recommended that women affected by breast cancer follow the same dietary guidelines that are recommended for Australian adults.

You may have had a look at these resources already, but just in case you have not, here are links to information and booklets which may be helpful:

• You can find information about healthy eating on our website here.
• You can download or order our booklet Healthy eating and breast cancer from the resources section of our website. The booklet was developed with input from accredited practicing dieticians and other health professionals.
• You can download or order the Cancer Council's booklet, Nutrition and Cancer from their website here.

Best wishes,
Lisa

CellyK said:

We all have different approaches which is totally fine.  For me, my approach has been - like @au0rei - to research info (and have found similar results) and focussing on really nourishing stuff as a way to 'love' myself.  I have less meat, and a lot more fruit & veg (saves $$ too).  
It's not just about cancer, nor punishing myself with 'rabbit food'.  I'm actually learning to cook a range of new, delicious fresh foods that are full of flavour.  I don't feel like I'm missing out.  I had a Magnum ice-cream yesterday, no drama - because most of the time I'm eating healthy stuff.  
Not only have I had some of the yummiest smoothies I've ever had, but I'm actually feeling better and sleeping better than before the diagnosis!  My hands and feet keep warmer (probably all the ginger & garlic - good for the circulation) and actually my appetite is just better.  So I plan on staying with the changes - for all the other benefits.
In a surprise additional benefit - my daughter is starting to experiment with more healthy food - following my example I suppose - and is getting over her phobia of leafy greens!
It must be really hard with family members that don't want any changes though.  I remember trying to eat less meat when I was still with my X - he reacted as though I was asking him to donate a testicle to science.  

Hahaha so funny about your X!

Yes I totally am with you @CellyK. My main motivation is after hearing about so many recurrences around me. It made me question why. Anyway I am not saying diet is the guaranteed way to go. I believe there are so many factors involved. But diet is certainly a great way to head since I do believe we are what we eat. We would not pump diesel or water into a Lamborghini, a simple principle on how we should feed our body well. I totally agree that since my diagnosis, it has been a positive journey learning so many new healthy recipes. My body is really happier. My skin has never been so smooth my whole life, I actually cannot believe it. My bowels have never been so regular! I just feel healthier in general, aches and pains are so much manageable (I used to sit in my massage chair so frequently due to those!). I really am sure a large part of this is due to a big shift in my diet.

My kids have picked up on my diet. I am learning to be creative (not easy!) in giving them healthy yet delicious food. I know it's not guaranteed perfect health ever after but I feel it's worth a try. I have never knew how important our diet is. I thought I was eating a good diet when I ate mostly cooked veges, carbs and meat for the past 40 years. I was not a fruit person but now I eat a lot more fruit besides vege smoothies and raw salads.  I still take my carbs (red rice, black rice, brown rice, quinoa, pasta etc homemade if possible). I am also enjoying my new diet. We have cut out almost all animal protein (I really do love meat esp seafood but I believe it is more that I love the taste of meat rather than needing it) and heading towards an organic plant based diet as much as we can. When we do eat out once a week, the kids do get eat some meat. Occasionally I take some fish or even enjoy a slice of passion fruit tart at the cafe. They are actually really happy about their decisions to cut out animal proteins and dairy.  I make sure we fill the gap - taking Vegansafe B12 - taking almond milk or organic soy for them to get protein and calcium....etc. Hubby is certainly resistant and I would cook some organic chicken or pork for him. But as a family, we are certainly making positive changes, compared to bad diet we had for the past years.

My radiotherapy oncologist agrees that not enough emphasis is put into educating cancer patients about diet change.

I have actually typed a whole big reply but could not complete it and lost it even though I saved it as draft. I have retyped and here's some videos that I hope you can watch for yourself. Again, I am not trying to preach something here. But I want to share and if you can benefit, I would be so happy. If you don't agree, that is cool too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PkJ1MO-LNQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtnlwqEii2I

I read these books :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cancer-After-How-Avoid-Recurrence/dp/149609736X

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

I also make sure I get at least 8 hours of sleep daily nowadays. I hope to be able to maintain this lifestyle because I am truly happier. To be honest, going through cancer has made many positive changes in my life. And it also made me more aware. I actually notice many friends around me who look very tired most of the time. And I wish they can start adjust their life style in terms of diet and rest. Don't wait for a sickness such as cancer to strike! Many of us are tired due to the diet we eat, and the little rest we get. I must emphasize that I am not being judgemental here, but this is what I observe.

Exercise (for fitness and detox) is definitely very important. But I would think diet is even more important. There is no point exercising very well and eat junk food every other day lol. Another area I strongly feel needs to change is our mind (stress, unhappiness etc). Next would be helping our body to detox.  I read that cancer is toxicity and deficiency. It definitely sounded like me. xxx

We all have different approaches which is totally fine.  For me, my approach has been - like @au0rei - to research info (and have found similar results) and focussing on really nourishing stuff as a way to 'love' myself.  I have less meat, and a lot more fruit & veg (saves $$ too).  
It's not just about cancer, nor punishing myself with 'rabbit food'.  I'm actually learning to cook a range of new, delicious fresh foods that are full of flavour.  I don't feel like I'm missing out.  I had a Magnum ice-cream yesterday, no drama - because most of the time I'm eating healthy stuff.  
Not only have I had some of the yummiest smoothies I've ever had, but I'm actually feeling better and sleeping better than before the diagnosis!  My hands and feet keep warmer (probably all the ginger & garlic - good for the circulation) and actually my appetite is just better.  So I plan on staying with the changes - for all the other benefits.
In a surprise additional benefit - my daughter is starting to experiment with more healthy food - following my example I suppose - and is getting over her phobia of leafy greens!
It must be really hard with family members that don't want any changes though.  I remember trying to eat less meat when I was still with my X - he reacted as though I was asking him to donate a testicle to science.  

I am 100% with @Zoffiel  when she says "Guess what? I don't give a shit.".  Yes, I try to be good and eat healthily as per @iserbrown (did we go to the same school ???) but in the end we all got the BC.  Now I am really thinking that the medicos have us all by the short and curlys with the 'this and that', the big money spinning scheduled appointments, the medications and basically spreading the fear.
All the time, as I play ball with them, I am wondering what would happen if I got off the treadmill ?  
As has been said, the amount of research projects with differing outcomes included a small percentage of women and like most big announcements re diet (not necessarily cancer-related) how many of them are proven to be wrong down the track ?
I am going to enjoy what is left of life as best I can and if I die a few years earlier then too bad - and yes, that will include some wine when I want it !
Enjoy your day, wherever you are - but hoping it is warmer there than it is here in Victoria.
Summer  :-)

Olivia Newton John started her own wellness cancer resort and still had a recurrence ..we can only try to be healthy but nothing will guarantee outcomes. But she certainly still looks glowing and it will assist her recovery from any further treatment. 

Olivis Newton John started her own wellness cancer resort and still had a recurrence ..we can only try to be healthy but nothing will guarantee outcomes. But she certainly still looks glowing. 

Hi everyone there are many previous posts in health and lifestyle
bcna has lots of info also mentioned about page 3/4
Thanks iserbrown for mentioning home economists yes we do give lots of health tools to young australians
Lots of info from Soan Kettering and Breast cancer.org in the us

Tips
Read widely and reflect back on the info from bcna and cancer a u stralia
Some diets lifestyle programs  can be harmful there are so many comments to reflect on 
The alkaline diet and therapy is one such that was on tv this week ..lots of bogus and dangerous anti and non scientific 


All best 
Bright ..home ec 

Mira said:

Hi, I was already a healthy weight and following a healthy diet and exercise for years before I was diagnosed so I don't know that it affected me getting cancer.  What I can say with certainty though is that being fit and healthy meant my cancer was found earlier, so my treatment was less and my body was able to cope better (surgery, radiation, tamoxifen).

I'd recommend a healthy diet & exercise for those reasons rather than looking for it to prevent the cancer. 

Funny story, my breastcare nurse asked me for details  about the health and fitness program that I am (and now work for) on so she could look into it for clients!

Hi Mira, I was also a healthy weight when I was diagnosed, I was skinny! I hardly exercised at all. But I definitely was not living an ideal life - both physically and mentally toxic and deficient. I am grateful that I have small boobs (haha!!!) and a holiday away which miraculously led to to feel the lump! That said, I do have two cases around me where the cancer was very small and lumpectomy, chemo, radiotherapy done and yet the cancer came back! So I feel that we can do our very best with regards to conventional treatment but if we do not adjust our lifestyle esp to change our internal body climate, it is possible that the cancer can recur in time. Oliva Newton John's cancer came back 25 years which is shocking! I also read of vegetarians and vegans and fitness fanatics getting breast cancer! Could be still an improper diet or lifestyle? I don't know!