Im one of the gang now! Im 37 years old and it just so happens the only lump ive ever discovered turned out to be cancerous. What luck! Oestrogen positive and Her 2 positive. Just waiting to see my oncologist for the first time and finally get started on my treatment!
Trying to build myself back up physically after the stress of biopsies and diagnosis and get ready for the onslaught of chemo. There is so much information online its quite bewildering but does anyone have any advice in terms of nutrition to help prepare myself for chemo ie boosting my immune system, what to avoid, and also if anyone can recommend any cook books of recipies or online sources for chemo friendly recipies.
Thanks everyone from what i can see this is a wonderful and supportive resource for BC warriors :)
Hi Wandalina, sorry to see you on here but welcome ?. I’m an oestrogen positive girlie and I have been exploring diet and nutrition as well. I rang Macmillan the other day for some advice as I’d read all sorts of contradictory stuff on the internet and I just didn’t know what to eat going forwards. They were lovely and the nurse I spoke to gave me details for “The Haven” which can be found via Google. It’s a breast cancer care organisation. In their publications section there’s a great brochure on what’s recommended which you might find useful. I tried a vegan/dairy free diet but after 12 weeks I needed more variety and missed fish and meat too much. I eat a good variety of foods now and I’m much happier, but I am glad I explored a vegan diet and I do have 3 or 4 vegan/veggie days a week. I eat loads of veg and fruit daily.
I didn’t have to have to have chemo but had a mastectomy and im starting radiotherapy in about 10 days.
How are you getting on with your chemo? I hope you are well. Will have my last fec on fri this week. I am estrogen positive too but not Her 2. There are many things that help me sail with my chemo treatment:
Juicing fruits and vegs 4-5 days a week. And making fruit smoothies such as blueberries, raspberries with a banana and I use organis soya milk with that. I do not add sugar to my drinks. Drink this in an empty stomach it works even better…
Eating raw vegs such as salad, fennel, carrots and greens inc broccoli.
Drinking 2-3 lt of alkaline water to keep me hydrated.
You did not mention your name here.Anyway, I hope this smal advice will help. takecare x Blesy
hi everyone I had a lumpectomy and axillary node clearance for strongly eostrogen positive cancer and will be starting radiotherapy on March the 30th.Ive been eating a wide variety of fruit including blueberries and raspberries kiwis pineappples ect and salads and sometimes juicing my fruits.I eat about 3 brazil nuts a day .I dont like them but they give you some selenium which cancer doesnt like. I also have a tumeric ,honey, black pepper ,hot water and a little milk concoction as I have read that tumeric can have a cancer protective factor. I also have started eating watercress.I also eat sardines. I have coconut milk instead of dairy and dont buy cheese anymore. I have a bowl of organic porrige for breakfast and stir in some linseed and have a mashed bannana on top and put on some coconut milk, .I try to avoid having to much sugary food as have been informed cancer likes sugar. If anyone else has idea of what I could include or take out for my type of cancer or what food they have found are good to have during Radiotherapy treatment please let me know x
Hi I have been reading various information guides some recommend yoghurt but most recommend reduction if dairy oroducts all quite confusing I have booked to see the nutrition list at the haven has anyone else used this service and found it helpful trying to cut back on the sugar intake very hard as a real puddings fiend!
Hi Onwards and upwards, I restrict dairy now and do miss a yoghurt but I have found the Koko strawberry yoghurt alternative and they are lovely, they are dairy and soya free and made with coconut milk. I use the Koko coconut milk on my porridge too - delicious with fresh raspberries, blueberries and a handful of mixed nuts on top ? xxx
Hi, I start chemo treatment next week and Ive purchased The Royal Marsden Cancer Cookbook which gives lots of tips for coping with nausea, taste changes, sore mouth as well as packing in nutrients and calories when you don’t feel hungry during treatment. Half of the royalties go to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity so good all round.
Already pescetarian but have now quit dairy in favour of almond or soya milk. Im avoiding processed sugar and starchy foods which break down into sugar quickly. I’m eating lots of broccoli, kale, bok choi, oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, turmeric, black pepper, blueberries, raspberries, pomegranate/juice, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, Rosemary, walnuts, almonds, avocado and other healthy veggies. I eat fish and tofu or soya for protein. I have sugar free granola for breakfast and add extra nuts or those coconut yoghurts with fresh fruit. I think, basically, if it’s healthy, whole grain, low sugar and anti-inflammatory food then all good! I’ve also quit alcohol since diagnosis and have found there is now a really great selection of alcohol free beers in the supermarkets. I also have tonic water with juniper berries and fresh coriander (or similar) as I was quite into the gin scene before.
I’ve also read some foods to avoid during chemo are grapefruit, echinacea, St. John’s wort, black cohosh and also garlic (during docetaxel phase) as they interact with the drugs. The Cancer research website is really good at myth-busting lots of miracle foods and supplements.
Hope this helps. It’s really good to compare and check we all know the same cutting edge nutrition research. If you find anything contradictory to any of this, let me know. X
I looked up foods that help in producing white blood cells, and came up with a list of colourful, healthy fruits and veg - it is from the USA so some of hese are not familiar, but they are not keen on meat, on household products containing parabens (such as aerosols or home smellies) and generally if a veg or friot has a vital colour and is fresh, it is gd for you! It does work, food being one way you can sort yurself to a degree, and control, which is also quite important, and the idea of being healthy in every other way - especially once this is over - matters a lot to me. I also make soups, eat portions of fruit and smoothies, and look to have balanced carbs from oats, rice etc. Good luck, all best wishes
from what i can see this is a wonderful and supportive resource for BC warriors :)