Four years ago I was diagnosed with stage IIB breast cancer. I found the lump myself and went to have it checked out. A mammogram was ordered against my protestations. I knew it wouldn’t show up on a mammogram and it didn’t. I then got the ultrasound I had originally asked for and the tumour did show up there. After a biopsy I knew it was malignant.
I had surgery to remove the tumour and the blue dye that was injected showed that it was also in my lymph nodes. One was 95% cancerous, the other 90%. I had another surgery 10 days later where they scooped out seven more lymph nodes and tested them for cancer. Only one showed the barest trace of cancer.
That was it for me and my allopathic cancer treatment. I declined chemotherapy, radiation and the drug Tamoxifin. My cancer was ER+; estrogen positive. My surgeon was working under the assumption that he had gotten it all. My oncologist agreed that it was likely. I still see them both every 3 or 4 months for check ups and blood tests and such.
Monday Night Cancer Club is a Daily Kos group focused on dealing with cancer, primarily for cancer survivors and caregivers, though clinicians, researchers, and others with a special interest are also welcome. Volunteer diarists post Monday evenings between 7:30-8:30 PM ET on topics related to living with cancer, which is very broadly defined to include physical, spiritual, emotional and cognitive aspects. Mindful of the controversies endemic to cancer prevention and treatment, we ask that both diarists and commenters keep an open mind regarding strategies for surviving cancer, whether based in traditional, Eastern, Western, allopathic or other medical practices. This is a club no one wants to join, in truth, and compassion will help us make it through the challenge together.
For treatment I’ve moved onto my doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I’ve also seen naturopaths and nutrition specialists. My surgeon is at one hospital and my oncologist at another so I was able to see nutritionists at two hospitals. Both nutritionists suggested a low glycemic diet and gave me tons of handouts with charts.
Aiy, yai, yai! I am not good at keeping charts on anything or dieting. I am more of a lifestyle kind of girl.
For instance before I was diagnosed with cancer I had been a vegan for 20 years and a vegetarian for 20 years before that. I work in a job that keeps me pretty active and except for an addiction to sugar I thought I did lead a healthy lifestyle.
The first thing I did after my surgery was stop eating tofu. That was a big one for me. I thought I was doing something really good for my body, and I LOVE tofu. But tofu has estrogen and I quit cold turkey. As soon as I did menopause started for me.
There is conflicting info about soy. One interesting thing is that Japanese women who eat a lot of soy don’t get breast cancer often. When they start eating a western diet they do.
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/...
Now, both my oncologist and doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine say it’s ok to eat tofu but it scares me, so I don’t do it.
My oncologist thinks that as of now we know of no link between food and cancer so I should eat whatever I want. (I think we should put more money into studying the link between diet and cancer.) My doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine thinks there is a correlation and suggests a low glycemic diet as well as eating what’s in season.
He also thinks I should eat meat. MEAT! He doesn’t think everyone should, he thinks I should. He’s known me for about 15 years and has always thought I should eat it. I never ate it for ethical and environmental reasons but I eat it in small amounts now. I am careful about the way it’s cooked and when I buy it I make sure there are no added hormones.
Meat: Cooking and preserving
Should I avoid processed meats? Some studies have linked eating large amounts of processed meat to increased risk of colorectal and stomach cancers. This link may be due in part to nitrites, which are added to many lunch meats, hams, and hot dogs to maintain color and to prevent bacterial growth. Eating processed meats and meats preserved using smoke or salt increases exposure to potential cancer-causing agents and should be reduced as much as possible.
How does cooking meat affect cancer risk? Adequate cooking is needed to kill harmful germs in meat. But some research suggests that frying, broiling, or grilling meats at very high temperatures forms chemicals (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or heterocyclic aromatic amines) that might increase cancer risk. These chemicals can damage DNA and cause cancer in animals, but it is not clear how much they (as opposed to other substances in meat) may contribute to the increased colorectal cancer risk seen in people who eat large amounts of meat in some studies. Techniques such as braising, steaming, poaching, stewing, and microwaving meats produce fewer of these chemicals.
http://www.cancer.org/...
Overall though I already ate a healthy lifestyle and still got cancer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
http://www.cancer.gov/...
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/...
I ate mostly fresh food, nothing in cans, boxes or bags and still got cancer.
http://www.cancer.org/...
I want to repeat this: I think we need more studies about the connections between food and cancer.
Scientists need to conduct very large studies to see which specific foods may reduce the risk of cancer, and which could raise the risk. Many of these studies are underway, including the EPIC study (European Prospective study Into Cancer) which is part funded by Cancer Research UK. The EPIC study is the largest study into diet and cancer to date, and it involves over 500,000 people from 10 European countries who are being followed for many years. Results from EPIC and other large studies are already providing us with firmer answers.
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/...
For now what I find quite odd is that since I’ve been diagnosed, I’ve gained 40lbs!!! And I’m not alone. At my cancer support groups I rarely see thin people, not even those currently going through chemo. What I do see are tables laden with sugary snacks and the frig stocked with sugary drinks. I understand why. Chemo kills taste buds and the first to return are the sweet and salty ones. The support group feels like it’s there to support us so they do that by providing us with these comfort foods.
Recently though they’ve asked for snacks to be made with a Stevia or Agave and whole wheat. With the help of Whole Foods they are providing alternatives to sugary sodas.
So there you have it. Up until 2 months ago the only changes I made to my diet were to cut out tofu and add a bit of meat. I was already eating a ton of fruit and vegetables. In Part 2, I’ll tell you the changes I’ve made in the last 2 months.
Have you made any changes in your diet since being diagnosed? If you are a caregiver do you cook differently?