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Old 09-11-2011, 10:39 AM   #1
Mtngrl
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Diet and breast cancer

When I was diagnosed I received literature from the hospital that said there is no evidence that what we eat can affect our cancer outcome. I don't think that's true.

Whether it's true or not, the one thing we do know about eating foods and spices thought to have anti-cancer effects is it can't hurt. People have been eating olive oil, fish, vegetables, fruits, turmeric and ginger, and drinking green tea, for millennia. Another good thing about seeking optimum health through diet is it is pleasurable. The beautiful colors, textures and flavors of a mostly-plant-based diet are delightful. However many days I have left, I want to live them to the fullest.

I found the attached booklet this week. If I were running the hospital's breast cancer education program, I'd have this in the packet. http://www.ucsfbreastcarecenter.org/...r_breastca.pdf
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4/19/11 Diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast; 2.3 cm tumor, 1 axillary lymph node, weakly ER+, HER2+++
4/29/11 CT scan shows suspicious lesions on liver and lungs
5/17/11 liver biopsy
5/24/11 liver met confirmed--Stage IV at diagnosis
5/27/11 Begin weekly Taxol & Herceptin for 3 months (standard of care at the time of my DX)
7/18/11 Switch to weekly Abraxane & Herceptin due to Taxol allergy
8/29/11 CT scan shows no new lesions & old lesions shrinking
9/27/11 Finish Abraxane. Start Herceptin every 3 weeks. Begin taking Arimidex
10/17/11--Brain MRI--No Brain mets
12/5/11 PET scan--Almost NED
5/15/12 PET scan shows progression-breast/chest/spine (one vertebra)
5/22/12 Stop taking Arimidex; stay on Herceptin
6/11/12 Started Tykerb and Herceptin on clinical trial (w/no chemo)
9/24/12 CT scan--No new mets. Everything stable.
3/11/13 CT Scan--two small new possible mets and odd looking area in left lung getting larger.
4/2/13--Biopsy of suspicious area in lower left lung. Mets to lung confirmed.
4/30/13 Begin Kadcyla/TDM-1
8/16/13 PET scan "mixed," with some areas of increased uptake, but also some definite improvement, so I'll stay on TDM-1/Kadcyla.
11/11/13 Finally get hormone receptor results from lung biopsy of 4/2/13. My cancer is no longer ER positive.
11/13/13 PET scan mixed results again. We're calling it "stable." Problems breathing on exertion.
2/18/14 PET scan shows a new lesion and newly active lymph node in chest, other progression. Bye bye TDM-1.
2/28/14 Begin Herceptin/Perjeta every 3 weeks.
6/8/14 PET "mixed," with no new lesions, and everything but lower lungs improving. My breathing is better.
8/18/14 PET "mixed" again. Upper lungs & one spine met stable, lower lungs less FDG avid, original tumor more avid, one lymph node in mediastinum more avid.
9/1/14 Begin taking Xeloda one week on, one week off. Will also stay on Herceptin and Perjeta every three weeks.
12/11/14 PET Scan--no new lesions, and everything looks better than it did.
3/20/15 PET Scan--no new lesions, but lower lung lesions larger and a bit more avid.
4/13/15 Increasing Xeloda dose to 10 days on, one week off.
7/1/15 Scan "mixed" again, but suggests continuing progression. Stop Xeloda. Substitute Abraxane every 3 weeks starting 7/13.
10/28/15 PET scan shows dramatic improvement everywhere. All lesions except lower lungs have resolved; lower lungs noticeably improved.
12/18/15 Last Abraxane. Continue on Herceptin and Perjeta alone beginning 1/8/16.
1/27/16 PET scan shows cancer is stable.
5/11/16 PET scan shows uptake in some areas that were resolved on the last two scans.
6/3/16 Begin Kadcyla and Tykerb combination
6/5 - 6/23 Horrible diarrhea from K&T together. Got pneumonia.
7/15/16 Begin Kadcyla only every 3 weeks.
9/6/16 Begin radiation therapy on right lung lesion that caused the pneumonia.
10/3/16 Last of 12 radiation treatments to right lung.
11/4/16 Huffing and puffing, low O2, high heart rate, on tiniest bit of exertion. Diagnosed as radiation pneumonitis. Treated with Prednisone.
11/11/16 PET scan shows significant improvement to radiated part of right lung BUT a bunch of new lung lesions, and the bone met is getting worse.
11/22/16 Begin Eribulin and Herceptin. H every 3 weeks. E two weeks on, one week off.
3/6/17 Scan shows progression in lungs. Bone met a little better.
3/23/17 Lung biopsy. Tumor sampled is ER-, PR+ (5%), HER2+++. Getting Herceptin and Perjeta as a maintenance treatment.
5/31/17 Port placement
6/1/17 Start Navelbine & Tykerb
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Old 09-11-2011, 11:47 AM   #2
ElaineM
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Wink Re: Diet and breast cancer

Thank you for the informative link. Very interesting !! Very helpful !!!!!!! I am going to keep the link and refer to it often.
I think your cancer center has it wrong. What we put in our bodies does affect our health. Only a small percentage of breast cancers originate from family history, so diet, environment and lifestyle do affect our bodies in various ways, including not so good ways.
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Old 09-11-2011, 04:17 PM   #3
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Thanks for posting this - I have been looking for a single comprehensive document just like this.
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Old 09-12-2011, 04:20 PM   #4
TanyaRD
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Amy,
I disagree completely with the information you were first provided at the hospital. While nutrition/diet research faces many challenges we can safely say diet and/or weight is at least one risk factor for breast cancer. There is evidence to support improved outcomes in those diagnosed with breast cancer when certain dietary guidelines are followed. I am glad you were wise to seek out your own answers. If you are not already familiar with the document you may find the AICR/WCRF Expert Report interesting. You can find it at the link below.

http://www.aicr.org/research/research_science_home.html
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Old 09-13-2011, 10:42 AM   #5
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

The article listed in the Washington Post link below does not mention breast cancer (for that, be sure to follow the link provided by Tanya: http://www.aicr.org/research/research_science_home.html), but I thought it's an interesting read. [I'm going to eat some ice cream anyway even though my ovaries are gone... ]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...JPK_story.html (Foods that benefit various body parts)
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NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
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Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
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hptc hemangioma
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GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa

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Last edited by Jackie07; 09-13-2011 at 11:51 AM..
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Old 09-13-2011, 09:56 PM   #6
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Hi Jackie,

Forgive my ignorance, Is there a reason your not supposed to eat ice cream with out your ovaries?
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Old 09-17-2011, 05:02 PM   #7
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

I too was told to follow the basic guidelines - everything in moderation etc... that as my diet was ok according to the national guidelines to keep going along. I have decided differently and am following a vegan diet mostly - occasional eggs and I am eating fish 1-2 a week. I firmly believe that food can be medicine too. I don't feel we can rely simply on medication alone to deal with this disease and that by making significant dietary changes I will enhance the outcomes of the treatments I am having.

Amy - the link is awesome - so much information in one place. I was due to go to a seminar today by Ian Gawler - an Australian man who has survived a very aggressive osteosarcoma in the 1970's - he made significant lifestyle changes that include diet and meditation as key principles - when he was given no hope by the medical fraternity. Back then he was considered a bit whacky but medicine is catching up to the concept of healing being more holistic. I can't make it as I've had a temp overnight and need to rest up. I am attending a 12 week program run by the Gawler foundation and hope to receive more information about diet and cancer. It can be overwhelming how conflicting the information is at times but it seems that a common denominator is being plant based.

Tanya - the link you provide is interesting too. Is there any research on diet in people with Stage 4 breast cancer?

Amy - have you changed your diet and if so how?
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22 February 2011 - Diagnosed Early Breast Cancer IDBC Stage2b (ER/PR -ve, Her2+ve +++) - 38 years old
(L) skin sparing mastectomy with tissue expander, axilla clearance (2/14 affected) clear margins.
Fec*3, Taxotere and herceptin*2 - stopped due to secondary diagnosis

June 24 2011 Stage IV - Skin met, axilla node, multiple lung lesions

Bolero3 trial - Navelbine, Hereptin weekly, daily Everolimus/Placebo
February 2012 - July 2012 Tykerb and Xeloda - skin mets resolved, Lungs initially dramatically reduced but growing again
August 2012 (turn 40!) tykerb and herceptin (denied compassionate use of TDM1) while holidaying in Italy!
September 2012 - January 2013 TDM1 as part of the Th3resa trial - lymph nodes resolved, lungs slowly progressing.
January 2013 - herceptin, carboplatin and Perjeta (compassionate access)
April 2013 - Some progression in lungs and lymph nodes - Abraxane, Herceptin and Perjeta
July 2013 - mixed response - dramatic reduction of most lung disease, progression of smaller lung nodules and cervical and hilar nodes - ? Add avastin.
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Old 09-19-2011, 10:12 AM   #8
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

The link below has a lot of web information on diet and cancer. I received it from CancerConnect and haven't checked out the credential of the featured author of the cancer guide listed ...

http://www.bentmileshealth.com/healthy_living.htm

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http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2

NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa

Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe

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Old 09-19-2011, 04:21 PM   #9
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Amy,

You might find this recently published study to be of interest:

Low-carbohydrate diets, dietary approaches to stop hypertension-style diets, and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21832271

"A diet high in fruits and vegetables, such as one represented by the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet score, was associated with a lower risk of ER- breast cancer. In addition, a diet high in plant protein and fat and moderate in carbohydrate content was associated with a lower risk of ER- cancer."
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Old 09-24-2011, 02:39 PM   #10
TanyaRD
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Hi Amanda,
I am not aware of any nutrition related research in Stage IV breast cancer specifically. However, based on the research in early stage and breast cancer prevention I would be very supportive of your vegetarian/vegan diet.

I thought you might enjoy this link to Diana Dyer's website. She is an RD and breast cancer survivor. She follows a vegan diet and is a wealth of information on the subject.

http://www.cancerrd.com/

Best wishes,
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Old 09-28-2011, 06:26 AM   #11
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Amy,
Thank you for posting this awesome resource! I've posted it to my desktop for easy reference.
Ironically, now that I've read it...this sounds remarkably like the diet I followed while carrying my sons. I wanted to give them the best start possible.
I'm embarrassed to admit it...but once they were born, my diet went downhill rather quickly. I still fed them a healthy diet...but my stash of M&Ms was never far away!!

Time for me to get back on track! Colorful fruits and veggies, instead of colorful, candy-coated chocolate!

Thanks again!
Denise
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Old 09-30-2011, 03:15 AM   #12
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

I find the site whatbreast cancer patients and survivors taking herceptin treatment very usefull and have been following it with your help in regulating Hems's diet
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ossousmetstatis in vertbrae secondaries L4=L5secondary
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Herceptin added 5th April.9th Herceptin over on 20th Sep '10.Started on Tykerb and Xeloda on 22nd Oct2010TYKERB 4 TAB A DAY XELODA 4 TAB A DAY ONE WEEK ON ONE WEEK OFFZoletrust infusion every 4 months.Lesion in Brain 3D CRT Radiation started on 1st Feb'12 for 20 days ,5 days a week for 4 weeks.Devloped a small lump in breast.Xeloda stopped from 11th April '12.On Taxol.After 3 cycles of Taxol Taxol stopped.Back to Xeloda regime from 3rd July
Herceptin started again on 27th Dec 2012.Xeloda stopped Navelbin added on 7th February 2013.Now on Tykerb Herceptin and Navelbin
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Old 09-30-2011, 10:03 AM   #13
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Greetings HER2+ Sisters

I am so confused by all the diets and which one I should follow. As of now the only thing that I should ingest that is agreeable so it seems is WATER.....

I've been researching Diets for BC, Diets for HER2+ BC, and Diets for ER+ BC. Completely conflicting as to what is great for overall BC is not great for ER+ as the food contains too much estrogen then, a good food choice for ER+ is not good for HER2+......

I've come to terms with my BC and I'm prepared to let go of my 26" of long thick black hair, my eyebrows and eyelashes. I want to take all my treatments and kick cancer's @ss to the curb but.....how can I be diligent and prepare to fight this Cancer for the 2nd time (diagnosed 1st time IDC stage 2, right breast....lumpectomy and radiation followed by Tamoxafin....Tamox did absolutely NOTHING for me as my new cancer Left side is stage 1 triple positive) with NO FOOD???

Ladies, I want to thank you all for your courage, strength, openness, intelligence and humor. You all are amazing!!

Lisa
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Old 10-01-2011, 01:42 AM   #14
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Lisa,

Like Tanya and another Lisa on this board, my Sister-in-law is also a registered dietician. She's been teaching nutrition/food science for almost 30 years. She had told me one time to eat whatever that I felt like to eat (and can digest) during chemotherapy.

I remember reading something on Reader's Digest many years ago that young children are capable of picking the right food for themselves. If they are in need of protein, they would go for meat/egg/milk.

Since chemo destroys lots of our sensation/appetite, we can't go by our 'natural instinct' (because we don't have appetite I would try to cook some plain rice soup and gradually add extra meat/egg/vegies.
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http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2

NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa

Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
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Old 10-01-2011, 12:59 PM   #15
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Jackie,

Thank You for your response. You are always so good about replying to posts. I hear from my onc that rather then losing appitite I may just have the opposite effect due to the steroids. I'm so confused by the diet i should follow after chemo. As I mentioned I am ER+ as well as HER2+ and it seems from what I've been reading the reccomended food list for these two are conflicting. I may just have to quit stressing over this and enjoy everything in moderation....that was my grandmother's favorite saying "everything is good for you in moderation"
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Old 10-02-2011, 05:55 AM   #16
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

When I was on chemo I was trying to get more protein, so I ate grass fed beef, chicken, and a bit more fish than I used to. Now I'm eating about the same as before I got cancer, but trying to have more vegetables (especially cruciferous ones). I go out of my way to get turmeric, ginger and fresh herbs fairly often. I also eat a lot of yogurt. I make it myself with half organic grass-fed whole milk and half skim milk.

I wasn't eating many sweets (except dark chocolate), and it's been years since I had any artificial transfats or high fructose corn syrup. My diet is primarily plant-based. I avoid white flour, white sugar and white rice as much as possible, which means I prepare almost all my food from scratch. I don't find that as hard to do as it might sound. I make big batches--of red beans and brown rice, lentil soup, split pea soup, etc.--and freeze portions for later.

Information on soy foods is all over the place. As far as I can tell, soy is neither great for breast cancer nor bad for it. Tofu is such a good, cheap source of protein, I eat it several times a week with stir fry vegetables and brown rice. I also eat edamame. I make my own bread with whole grain flour (wheat and rye) and sourdough.

Basically I try to go for "protein and produce," limiting things that have a high glycemic index and trying to get a lot of fiber.
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4/19/11 Diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast; 2.3 cm tumor, 1 axillary lymph node, weakly ER+, HER2+++
4/29/11 CT scan shows suspicious lesions on liver and lungs
5/17/11 liver biopsy
5/24/11 liver met confirmed--Stage IV at diagnosis
5/27/11 Begin weekly Taxol & Herceptin for 3 months (standard of care at the time of my DX)
7/18/11 Switch to weekly Abraxane & Herceptin due to Taxol allergy
8/29/11 CT scan shows no new lesions & old lesions shrinking
9/27/11 Finish Abraxane. Start Herceptin every 3 weeks. Begin taking Arimidex
10/17/11--Brain MRI--No Brain mets
12/5/11 PET scan--Almost NED
5/15/12 PET scan shows progression-breast/chest/spine (one vertebra)
5/22/12 Stop taking Arimidex; stay on Herceptin
6/11/12 Started Tykerb and Herceptin on clinical trial (w/no chemo)
9/24/12 CT scan--No new mets. Everything stable.
3/11/13 CT Scan--two small new possible mets and odd looking area in left lung getting larger.
4/2/13--Biopsy of suspicious area in lower left lung. Mets to lung confirmed.
4/30/13 Begin Kadcyla/TDM-1
8/16/13 PET scan "mixed," with some areas of increased uptake, but also some definite improvement, so I'll stay on TDM-1/Kadcyla.
11/11/13 Finally get hormone receptor results from lung biopsy of 4/2/13. My cancer is no longer ER positive.
11/13/13 PET scan mixed results again. We're calling it "stable." Problems breathing on exertion.
2/18/14 PET scan shows a new lesion and newly active lymph node in chest, other progression. Bye bye TDM-1.
2/28/14 Begin Herceptin/Perjeta every 3 weeks.
6/8/14 PET "mixed," with no new lesions, and everything but lower lungs improving. My breathing is better.
8/18/14 PET "mixed" again. Upper lungs & one spine met stable, lower lungs less FDG avid, original tumor more avid, one lymph node in mediastinum more avid.
9/1/14 Begin taking Xeloda one week on, one week off. Will also stay on Herceptin and Perjeta every three weeks.
12/11/14 PET Scan--no new lesions, and everything looks better than it did.
3/20/15 PET Scan--no new lesions, but lower lung lesions larger and a bit more avid.
4/13/15 Increasing Xeloda dose to 10 days on, one week off.
7/1/15 Scan "mixed" again, but suggests continuing progression. Stop Xeloda. Substitute Abraxane every 3 weeks starting 7/13.
10/28/15 PET scan shows dramatic improvement everywhere. All lesions except lower lungs have resolved; lower lungs noticeably improved.
12/18/15 Last Abraxane. Continue on Herceptin and Perjeta alone beginning 1/8/16.
1/27/16 PET scan shows cancer is stable.
5/11/16 PET scan shows uptake in some areas that were resolved on the last two scans.
6/3/16 Begin Kadcyla and Tykerb combination
6/5 - 6/23 Horrible diarrhea from K&T together. Got pneumonia.
7/15/16 Begin Kadcyla only every 3 weeks.
9/6/16 Begin radiation therapy on right lung lesion that caused the pneumonia.
10/3/16 Last of 12 radiation treatments to right lung.
11/4/16 Huffing and puffing, low O2, high heart rate, on tiniest bit of exertion. Diagnosed as radiation pneumonitis. Treated with Prednisone.
11/11/16 PET scan shows significant improvement to radiated part of right lung BUT a bunch of new lung lesions, and the bone met is getting worse.
11/22/16 Begin Eribulin and Herceptin. H every 3 weeks. E two weeks on, one week off.
3/6/17 Scan shows progression in lungs. Bone met a little better.
3/23/17 Lung biopsy. Tumor sampled is ER-, PR+ (5%), HER2+++. Getting Herceptin and Perjeta as a maintenance treatment.
5/31/17 Port placement
6/1/17 Start Navelbine & Tykerb
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Old 10-02-2011, 09:20 AM   #17
Lisa1967
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Sounds wondrful Amy, Thank You!! Like the idea of making the big batches of soup.
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Old 10-02-2011, 10:07 AM   #18
NEDenise
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Amy,
You are my new diet role model! You've summed up what I'm shooting for...except for making my own yogurt. I think that may be beyond my current skill set. I don't think I've ever even known anyone who made their own yogurt. That's really cool!

I have 2 teenage sons, so we still have some processed foods around...and pizza from time to time...but luckily, my boys love soup. Any soup! They'd eat it 5 days a week if I made it...so I do!!

And I've eaten a low fat diet for my entire married life because my husband's family has a very strong history of heart and cholesterol issues.

The hardest thing for me to give up is sugar. I admit it. I'm an addict. Once my surgery is behind me, I have to just suck it up, and stop. Cold turkey. No excuses. Because, as someone pointed out in another thread (Pray, I think...please forgive me if I'm mistaken)...I don't know whether all that sugar helps my cancer grow...but I'm not willing to chance it!

Protein and produce is my new mantra! Thanks, Amy!
All the best to you!
Denise
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1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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Old 11-06-2011, 03:00 PM   #19
Mtngrl
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Re: Diet and breast cancer

Bumping this up so some of the new members can see it.
__________________
Amy
_____________________________
4/19/11 Diagnosed invasive ductal carcinoma in left breast; 2.3 cm tumor, 1 axillary lymph node, weakly ER+, HER2+++
4/29/11 CT scan shows suspicious lesions on liver and lungs
5/17/11 liver biopsy
5/24/11 liver met confirmed--Stage IV at diagnosis
5/27/11 Begin weekly Taxol & Herceptin for 3 months (standard of care at the time of my DX)
7/18/11 Switch to weekly Abraxane & Herceptin due to Taxol allergy
8/29/11 CT scan shows no new lesions & old lesions shrinking
9/27/11 Finish Abraxane. Start Herceptin every 3 weeks. Begin taking Arimidex
10/17/11--Brain MRI--No Brain mets
12/5/11 PET scan--Almost NED
5/15/12 PET scan shows progression-breast/chest/spine (one vertebra)
5/22/12 Stop taking Arimidex; stay on Herceptin
6/11/12 Started Tykerb and Herceptin on clinical trial (w/no chemo)
9/24/12 CT scan--No new mets. Everything stable.
3/11/13 CT Scan--two small new possible mets and odd looking area in left lung getting larger.
4/2/13--Biopsy of suspicious area in lower left lung. Mets to lung confirmed.
4/30/13 Begin Kadcyla/TDM-1
8/16/13 PET scan "mixed," with some areas of increased uptake, but also some definite improvement, so I'll stay on TDM-1/Kadcyla.
11/11/13 Finally get hormone receptor results from lung biopsy of 4/2/13. My cancer is no longer ER positive.
11/13/13 PET scan mixed results again. We're calling it "stable." Problems breathing on exertion.
2/18/14 PET scan shows a new lesion and newly active lymph node in chest, other progression. Bye bye TDM-1.
2/28/14 Begin Herceptin/Perjeta every 3 weeks.
6/8/14 PET "mixed," with no new lesions, and everything but lower lungs improving. My breathing is better.
8/18/14 PET "mixed" again. Upper lungs & one spine met stable, lower lungs less FDG avid, original tumor more avid, one lymph node in mediastinum more avid.
9/1/14 Begin taking Xeloda one week on, one week off. Will also stay on Herceptin and Perjeta every three weeks.
12/11/14 PET Scan--no new lesions, and everything looks better than it did.
3/20/15 PET Scan--no new lesions, but lower lung lesions larger and a bit more avid.
4/13/15 Increasing Xeloda dose to 10 days on, one week off.
7/1/15 Scan "mixed" again, but suggests continuing progression. Stop Xeloda. Substitute Abraxane every 3 weeks starting 7/13.
10/28/15 PET scan shows dramatic improvement everywhere. All lesions except lower lungs have resolved; lower lungs noticeably improved.
12/18/15 Last Abraxane. Continue on Herceptin and Perjeta alone beginning 1/8/16.
1/27/16 PET scan shows cancer is stable.
5/11/16 PET scan shows uptake in some areas that were resolved on the last two scans.
6/3/16 Begin Kadcyla and Tykerb combination
6/5 - 6/23 Horrible diarrhea from K&T together. Got pneumonia.
7/15/16 Begin Kadcyla only every 3 weeks.
9/6/16 Begin radiation therapy on right lung lesion that caused the pneumonia.
10/3/16 Last of 12 radiation treatments to right lung.
11/4/16 Huffing and puffing, low O2, high heart rate, on tiniest bit of exertion. Diagnosed as radiation pneumonitis. Treated with Prednisone.
11/11/16 PET scan shows significant improvement to radiated part of right lung BUT a bunch of new lung lesions, and the bone met is getting worse.
11/22/16 Begin Eribulin and Herceptin. H every 3 weeks. E two weeks on, one week off.
3/6/17 Scan shows progression in lungs. Bone met a little better.
3/23/17 Lung biopsy. Tumor sampled is ER-, PR+ (5%), HER2+++. Getting Herceptin and Perjeta as a maintenance treatment.
5/31/17 Port placement
6/1/17 Start Navelbine & Tykerb
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Old 11-10-2011, 10:28 AM   #20
ElaineM
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Wink Re: Diet and breast cancer

Thanks for the additional links. I will make good use of them. I can always learn more about healthy eating.
I cook mostly from scratch too. As you mentioned it is not as hard as many people think it is. The time consuming part is washing and cutting all the produce, but once that is done the rest is pretty easy.
If you have a block of time one or two days a week you can cut and wash some produce and other ingredients and make pots of healthy stews, chili and soup. You can freeze some in small containers for use in the future.
Also if you are feeling a little under the weather some day all you have to do is take a container of something healthy you made from the freezer and heat it up.
I use fresh herbs. I eat alot of different fresh veggies and fruit. I keep a couple bags of frozen veggies and fruit in the freezer for when I run out of the fresh variety. I am vegetarian, but I do eat about 3 eggs a week, and dairy(mostly yoghurt). The only thing with a face I eat is wild salmon. I eat various kinds of beans including edamane and an occassional serving of tofu with stir frys. I eat natto once in awhile.
I buy whole grain breads, English muffins, bagels,crackers and waffles from the health food store.
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ElaineM
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Last edited by ElaineM; 11-10-2011 at 10:29 AM.. Reason: correction
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