I think no matter what we do it can always come back. I have unfortunately read many posts/stories about women who have done all the right things and yet the damn cancer still comes back. It's one of the reasons I keep coming back to this site six years on from my diagnosis and treatment ie to remind myself to remain vigilant and not get complacent. Cancer is an insidious disease - or set of diseases - and it seems the medical profession is some way off understanding how it kicks off. The idea of blaming ourselves or others for being in this unlucky club is just awful.
Having said that as the other ladies have pointed out there are things you can do to minimise your risk. Personally I do heaps of exercise. I was exercising before diagnosis but I've stepped it up a bit in recent years to include quite a lot of running. I never would have imagined myself as a runner in the past - just not the athletic type - but I've become quite an enthusiast these days and feel so amazing afterwards I just know it must be doing me good.
I read a lot during my treatment and the year or two after about nutrition and cancer and yes the absolute best and most agreed upon thing you can do is eat lots and lots of vegetables, especially the cruciferous ones ie broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale etc. I try, but should probably eat more. I also take a supplement called diindolylmethane which - despite it's scary sounding name - in basic terms is the substance in cruciferous vegetables thought to reduce/stabilise estrogen levels in the body. There is some scientific evidence to suggest it might be helpful but I don't think all the evidence on it is in yet so do your own research if you're interested in it.
I have also read that there is some evidence for green tea being helpful in minimising the risk of recurrence. Flax seed meal is another one that pops up a lot. So I try and include those two things in my diet each day. I usually sprinkle the flax seed meal on cereal or mix it up with avocado or peanut butter on toast. Maybe they won't make any difference but I figure they can't hurt.
The other things I'm conscious of are trying to maintain a healthy weight (not always easy) and minimising alcohol consumption. Ideally you would probably give the booze up but I do like a glass of wine now and again.
And yes you do have to enjoy your life. Do what makes you happy.
