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-   -   Alcohol ban? Really? (https://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=65474)

Hadit 11-19-2016 07:50 AM

Alcohol ban? Really?
 
I've read many reports of alcohol consumption and increased risk of breast cancer. BUT........ does anyone here ever drink a little? I don't want to give up a glass or 2 of wine a couple of times a week. I read a tip where I pour 5 oz of Pinot Noir in a glass and fill it with 8 oz of chilled mineral water. How can that lil bit do much damage? Anyone?

jaykay 11-19-2016 08:34 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
I have not given up drinking my 2-3 glasses of wine a week. Honestly, a bottle lasts me for over a week! I did not drink during chemo because alcohol tasted horrible!.

So, yes. I drink.

Hadit 11-19-2016 09:49 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
jaykay, thanks. I'm trying to exercise, eat as much organic produce as possible and very lil meat ( no red meat or soy). I'm within my reccomended BMI , tho I'd like to loose another 10 lbs as estrogen feeds my cancer, BUT I just like to have a couple glasses now and then and not feel like I"m killing myself. I don't like discussing this with my onc dr as he doesn't drink at all ( never drank ever). I think that's part of his problem, hahaha.

jaykay 11-19-2016 07:22 PM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
Lol. I'm not an expert but I believe in moderation with occasional chocolate cheating:-)

Pamelamary 11-20-2016 12:02 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
I would go with moderation, with all aspects of nutrition - we are meant to be living with this disease, and a little pleasure can't go astray.
Best wishes....Pam

TiffanyS 11-25-2016 11:52 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
My doctor told me to limit how much I drink while getting chemo, but she never told me that I should quit drinking. I like a cold beer every once and a while, and she told that one or two drinks a week won’t kill me. I’m not a big drinker, and tend to only drink on special occasions, such as birthdays or holiday gatherings, etc.

I was also never told to eat organic food only, nor was I told not to eat red meat, just to make sure that it was cooked well while getting chemo.

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s normal. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for one year).
04/16 – Have port put in.
04/16 – Get second dose of chemo, but Docetaxal is left out due to liver enzymes being high. I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my scar.
08/16 – I am told that I have a “local recurrence” and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments.
10/16 – Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-3 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6
12/16 – CT Scan scheduled for December 14. I can’t wait to find out if the Perjeta is working!

snolan 11-28-2016 01:10 PM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
Though I didn't drink during chemo due to tasting bad. I am 6 years out and I still drink 1-2 times a week. One drink only as I am a light weight.

Hadit 11-28-2016 03:59 PM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
thanks for sharing. And congrats on your journey.

Gabrielle 12-11-2016 11:33 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
I drink about 2-3 drinks a week. All kinds of alcohol. 17 years out, stage 3.

Mtngrl 12-12-2016 06:46 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
I drink, just about every day, 2 glasses of red wine. Sometimes more. Sometimes less. I don't "have" to drink but I enjoy it.

There's a slight increase of breast cancer risk associated with alcohol. Since my risk is 100%, that ship has sailed. If they could promise to cure me if I quit drinking, of course I'd do it.

I think we should each do what seems best for us. I feel good most of the time on a mostly-plant based diet, plenty of water, green tea, lots of fruits and vegetables. I wake up alert and energetic. And I'm in my 6th year since being diagnosed "stage iv de novo."

Hadit 12-12-2016 08:28 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
thanks ladies for chiming in. I've decided that I want to live and be normal but will have just 4 glasses a week. I learned a trick to mix 2.5 oz of wine with about 1 cup Mineral water "San Pelligrino" ( chilled). I do this twice to enjoy the equivilant of 1 glass total . I now only drink Pinot Nior as it has less sugar. thanks

Carol Ann 12-12-2016 01:45 PM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
Hadit,

I was thinking of you last night when my husband made some homemade Bailey's Irish Cream (sweetened with stevia, so basically no sugar and carb free!) and I had a very small glass.

YUM!! Gotta enjoy life and a glass of spirits sometime!! :)

Your wine trick sounds good!

Carol Ann

TiffanyS 12-13-2016 05:53 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
They way I see it, we are still alive, and need to live! If that means having a drink or two every once and a while, then I say go for it!

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
12/15 – First mammogram
01/16 – Second mammogram and ultrasound.
01/16 – Meet surgeon and go for third mammogram, second ultrasound and biopsy. Surgeon confirms cancer in left breast and lymph nodes and sets surgery date.
01/16 – Chest scan and bone scan done– all looks good.
02/16 – Surgery - left breast mastectomy and 16 lymph nodes removed (8 had cancer).
02/16 – CT scan done – small nodules on lung but Doctor advises it’s normal. They will continue to monitor just in case.
03/16 – Meet radiation oncologist and find out results of Pathology Report. I’m told that I have locally advanced breast cancer, based on the size of my tumour (7 cm!) and the fact that they found cancer cells in eight lymph nodes. I’m also told that I’m HER 2 positive, and that my cancer is stage 3, grade 2.
03/16 – Meet oncologist and am told that my cancer is actually grade 3, and that I should have done chemo before surgery. Too late now!
03/16 – Start first of six doses of chemo (Carboplatin and Docetaxal) and Herceptin (for one year).
04/16 – Have port put in.
04/16 – Get second dose of chemo, but Docetaxal is left out due to liver enzymes being high. I was unable to get a full dose of Docetaxal after my first treatment.
06/16 – Finished chemo! One month off and then I start radiation.
06/16 – Start Tamoxifen.
07/16 – First radiation treatment – 24 more to go!
08/16 – Went for Genetic Testing to see if I have the BRCA gene. Tested negative for BRCA I and II
08/16 – Radiation oncologist biopsies “scar tissue” on my scar.
08/16 – I am told that I have a “local recurrence” and need to have rush surgery.
09/16 – Meet surgeon who advises that I need to meet with a plastic surgeon, as they will need to do a skin graft to close me up after surgery.
09/16 – Go for rush ultrasound, bone scan, breast MRI and CT scan.
09/16 – Meet plastic surgeon and all looks good. A surgery date is set for October 4.
09/16 – Meet oncologist who advises that the ultrasound and bone scan results look good, and that MRI shows three small masses at surgery site, but lymph nodes are clear. Still awaiting the results of the CT scan, but we are positive it will look good.
09/16 – Get a call from my oncologist, who advises that CT scan shows small spots on my lungs, and a large lymph node in the middle of my chest. This means the cancer has spread! She looks into getting me funded for TDM1 and cancels my surgery.
10/16 – Meet oncologist, who advises that I have to take Perjeta before I can take TDM1. I start Perjeta/Herceptin every three weeks for an indefinite amount of time, and Taxol, which I will take two weeks in a row with one week off and then two weeks in a row for 8-16 treatments.
10/16 – Stop Tamoxifen.
10/16 – Meet surgeon, who reviews my CT scan and advises that the spots on my lungs may not be cancer, and that he doesn’t see a lymph node in my chest. He thinks it’s a spot on my lung. I’m feeling very confused! He advises that my oncologist doesn’t want me to have surgery to remove the three small masses on my scar line, as she wants to use them as a way to determine if the treatment is working. He advises that if they have not shrunk in 6 months, he will revisit surgery.
10/16 – CEA blood test to determine Tumour markers. Results were normal (2.7). My doctor advises that this could mean two things: (1) that the treatment is working, and the tumours are shrinking, or (2), that I'm one of those people who never get elevated CEA levels. Given that some people never get an elevated CEA level, this test doesn’t seem very accurate to me! Asked for PET scan, but am told I don’t qualify.
10/16 – Brain MRI – NED!
11/16 - CA-15-30 blood test – Tumour markers are normal at 19.
11/16 – Second CEA blood test – Tumours markers are still normal at 1.6
11/16 – Second CA-15-30 bloot test – Tumour markers are still normal at 19
11/16 – Develop lymphedema and have to wear a sleeve
12/16 – CT Scan scheduled for December 14. I can’t wait to find out if the Perjeta is working!

Hadit 12-13-2016 06:38 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
I like how you ladies think. I read an ariticle from a lady who had recurrence 18 years later and the only thing she did was drink 2-3 glasses of red wine a night. No one ever told her not to. She got useful info from a very informed dr who said to refrain from alcholol to just 1 glass/day. I hope to have some peppermint schnapps in my Nuetlla hot chocolate by the campfire next month when I meet up with my college roommate I haven't seen in 26 years. Camping is my happy place

Carol Ann 12-13-2016 01:27 PM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
Yay, have a wonderful time ... putting peppermint schnapps in Nutella hot chocolate sounds REALLY good!!

Carol Ann

jacqueline1102 12-14-2016 12:00 PM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
Greetings all,

This link might address some of the questions about alcohol. I love my red wine on Saturdays. Nice dinner and bottle of wine with the hubby.

www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

Hadit 12-14-2016 02:56 PM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
Jacqueline, thanks for the link, I did read that 1 glass of wine a night should be ok, I drink about 4 glasses a week. With the holidays coming up , it's hard. I posted a tip earlier where I put 1/2 a serving of Pinot Noir in a big glass and top with chilled San Pelligrino. I do this twice to make me think I"m getting 2 big glasses but only one serving. It works!

ArthGreen 12-23-2016 12:52 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
I think lowering the intake of alcohol is a good idea. I have read somewhere that alcohol may increase the risk of breast cancer as they damage your DNA cells.

ivette.carlier 05-29-2017 04:05 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
To me, it's all about moderation. Drink but do not loose your mind!

donocco 05-29-2017 11:44 AM

Re: Alcohol ban? Really?
 
I doubt moderate alcohol consumption will affect breast cancer one way or another. Women drank alcoholic beverages in the 1930s? after prohibition was lifted in probably much larger quantities. Yet the breast cancer incidence in say 1935 was much less than it is today. If alcohol consumption were a major cause of breast cancer that probably wouldnt be so.

As far as the woman who had a recurrence after 18 years that probably is do to a reactivation of dormant breast cancer stem cells than anything else. While its not impossible that the drinks she had daily played a small, small part in this reactivation it
is not that likely. The stresses of life that are continuous probably played a larger role than anything else. Stress increases body cortisone and cortisone decreases immunity If anything the relaxation of the wine kept her alive longer. Just a guess.

Paul


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