Calm before the storm
Hi all, We have our first dose-dense AC treatment this Friday for Rebecca and while we're really glad to have some sense of momentum and control now with the treatment plan, I'm trying to get organised this week with meals and am a little out of my depth as to what to expect. Normally we'd write a meal plan for the week, pre-order the ingredients for those meals and basically just roll with it, however with chemo coming up, we're not 100% sure if that's going to work any more, especially with changes in taste and appetite. Our plan is to try and stick to the routine as much as possible and keep meals as healthy and varied as we can to ensure good nutrition and healing, but obviously will have to test and adjust as we work through side-effects etc. I've done some research and it seems like a lot of websites are suggesting sticking with somewhat normal meals, but maybe just a bit blander / different in texture. Other sites say do more regular, smaller snack-type meals, so maybe a mix of both? I'd really appreciate any tips you might have with regards planning for meals etc, particularly during the first few days of treatment. Thanks :) George
FOODS TO AVIOD DURING CHEMO
So i have just stated chemo for breast cancer and i have read different things of what to avoid. Sushi Raw Seafood - Raw soft cheeses honey Alcohol It feels like Iam pregnant all over again !!!! no good food, morning sickness, insomnia Can anyone tell me if these are correct and have i forgotten anything?
Gluten free bread recipe
Hi. I suffer from gluten intolerance and have found that the bread I usually make has become unpalatable to me since starting chemo. Does anyone have a gluten free bread recipe that is fairly bland tasting? I've found that just using more rice flour makes the bread too 'ricey' and not really much better tasting. Any suggestions appreciated.
Chemo and food
Hi all, I am relatively new to all of this. Diagnosed at the beginning of this month IDC left breast, tests have now shown 3 nodes involved. Initially lumpectomy was going to be the first option, but once the nodes came up as positive that has been flipped and I'm starting chemo next Thursday. I'm trying to find some positive things to put aside as go-tos when I'm not feeling great - some good books, hand craft etc. things I enjoy and don't require too much concentration. I'm a foodie - love cooking, love eating and often a coffee or making something delicious is a huge mood booster. I'm very worried about the impact of chemo on this. I know different people will react to things differently but I'd love to hear from others who have been down this path - what couldn't you stand/did you need to avoid food/drink wise and what could you tolerate (even enjoy perhaps??) during chemo? Did it vary depending on the particular drugs? TIA
Endocrine therapy-induced hair loss (ETIHL)
Hi All, Food for thought (no pun intended). I'm considering taking supplements (are they safe? contraindicated?) and looking for proven topical scalp treatments (waste of money?). Started with this article: Management of hair loss associated with endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer: an overview https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4864803/. "Vitamin C may loco regionally reduces the HL ...when locally applied with an oil-based buffer that enables vitamin C to pass across the hair texture. (Where would we find that?) Low levels of vitamin D in serum and/or lack of Vitamin D receptor have been found to be associated with HL ...However, it is still uncertain whether vitamin D supplementation increases the proliferation of hair follicles. Vitamin E has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of estrogen in the breast tissue and low levels of vitamin E are also reported to be associated with increased levels of estrogen. However, according to the results of the SELECT study in which an increased rate of prostate cancer was reported, Vitamin E carried a potential androgenic and anti-estrogenic activity in patients receiving Vitamin E supplementation. (So that's good for BC patient, right?) Folic acid is also reported to have a positive effect on hair health...However, unfortunately, there are some epidemiological studies that suggest folate may increase the tissue levels of estrogen, indicating that high levels of folic acid might lead to BC. (Sounds bad) Oral supplementation of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids is also known to positively affect the prognosis of BC (Bartsch et al. 1999) and many other cancers and also increase the apoptosis of BC cells in tissue cultures. Additionally, it has been recently shown that 6 months after the use of these fatty acids were found to protect and improve the hair health through antioxidant effects on the scalp tissue. (Definitely sounds like a good one) 5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibitors (local cream or shampoo forms) could possibly be the most appropriate and potent treatment options in the treatment of ETIHL. (I've no idea, and am suspicious of product claims anyway - but is there a good one available?)
Tamoxifen and appetite
I have been on tamoxifen for two days and I am so much hungrier than normal. Is this a side effect that anyone else has noticed or is this from radiation - I have had four treatments so far. I just feel hungry sick an hour after eating all day for two days. I am trying to ignore it because I don’t want to start gaining weight but it’s difficult.
Supermarket Deliveries
Hey @BCNA, I've got a friend having AC who lives alone. Coles have cancelled her online deliveries saying they're reserving them for the vulnerable and at risk members of the community. But her immune system is very compromised. She's exactly a person who should not be exposed to the risk of Covid19. How does she get through to Coles or Woolies that she should be on the list? Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! K xox @Giovanna_BCNA @Riki_BCNA @Rosie_BCNA @Kirsten_BCNA
