Thread: dairy products
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Old 04-12-2011, 05:26 AM   #13
TanyaRD
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 358
Re: dairy products

Thought maybe I'd chime in a little here. I realize part of this conversation is about 7 years old however it is funny how the same debate continues! Dairy intake continues to be debatable but one thing that is important to keep in mind is that after diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer (especially estrogen positive) bone health becomes even more important as treatments often strive to reduce estrogen thus offering less protection to bones. If you cut dairy out of your diet you must replace the calcium with an adequate source-probably supplementation. In regards to preventing recurrence there is one area in the research that is quite clear and that is reducing body weight to a healthy weight or maintaining an already healthy weight is known to reduce initial risk and risk of recurrence of breast cancer. That being said, obesity and overweight is ONE risk factor. Someone of normal weight can certainly still be diagnosed with breast cancer. However, this is one thing that is in our control. How we achieve that healthy weight is of course debatable. The WINS trial (see diet and nutrition section of message boards) found that women who followed a very low fat diet (15-20% calories from fat) had a significant decreased risk in breast cancer recurrence. Reducing saturated fat (animal fats mostly) appears to be critical in many studies. Increasing fruits and vegetable intake also appears to offer benefit. It is yet unclear whether or not the weight loss or the low fat diet resulting in weight loss provided the benefit in the WINS trial. This is a very difficult diet to follow and stick to (much like the Dean Ornish diet). Dr. Mary Flynn wrote a book called the Pink Ribbon Diet which is a plant based-olive oil, low calorie diet. Her study did not examine risk of recurrence but did produce successful weight loss which theoretically could decrease recurrence risk.

Overall, I don't think we have to make eating too complicated but find a healthy way of eating and moving (exercise) that fits into your lifestyle.

Tanya
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TanyaRD

Registered Dietitian
Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition
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