[Becky]

Dear Cheryl


There were 2 large clinical studies - one on exercise and one on lowfat diets.

Both studies show that if you are hormone negative, exercise and lowfat diet helps the most in reducing recurrence (about 44% reduction). If you are positive for only one of the hormones (ER or PR) it also works very well (PR+ only 38%, ER+ only 31%) And if you are positive on both (21%).

The lowfat diet has very similar results. It is the one controllable thing you can do yourself to try to prevent recurrence (and countless other diseases too - especially heart attack and stroke).

I was very much like you (it seems) and I lost about 22 lbs during chemo because of changing the way I eat and lost another 17 or so by walking afterwards. Now, I run (although it is not as easy on the knees - no pain but they feel "funny"). I am going to be in a 5K on June 3 (for a family in our town) - but who would have figured 3 years ago that I could even think about doing this!!!!!! The worst part is that it took cancer for me to want to eat right and exercise. The fringe benefit is also looking better too although feeling better is the best.

I just remember the fatigue so take extra good care of yourself as you train and take extra rest days if you need too. You can also break up a 6 mile walk into 2 or 3 smaller ones. New research says that this gives you the same workout although in running - longer distances at a slower pace work best. Hydrate yourself and bring along a snack or two on a long walk. Start slow. Who cares if it takes 2 hours if you give yourself the time to do it.

Take care