OK, another article warning about alcohol and cancer (Don't hate me!)

[Pbsoup]

This is from today's NY Times. nytimes.com/2021/03/04/well...

It is pretty clear that alcohol is a key risk factor for cancer. Especially breast cancer.

Not saying don't enjoy in moderation, just do it with your eyes open.

P

[PJBinMI]

I followed this link and found an article from Sept. 2021, not terribly old, but not today. As I understand the conclusion, alcohol can be a risk factor but is only considered that for around 8 % of those diagnosed with cancer. They define "moderate drinking" as two glasses of alcohol a day for men and 1 glass a day for women. If they defined light or heavy drinking, I missed it, but frankly, one glass a day sounds like alot to me! lol Guess I'm a real lightweight where alcohol is concerned!

[Pbsoup in reply to PJBinMI]

How odd. It is an older article. But I found it yesterday! Before I was diagnosed with MBC I probably had a glass a day, more when out with friends. I stopped when my Onc told me to...she is a heavy hitter research doctor, and was dismissive about almost every other diet related thing but that.... 3 years in, I do cheat now and again. I live in Sonoma County with amazing wines!

[8576 in reply to Pbsoup]

Seems like everything in moderation is alright. That in my book wouldn't include one or two glasses a day but once or twice a week is better. My thinking is our bodies are fighting a disease and anything we can do to help is warranted. I have a friend who was told to quit everything except water, until she had a surgery. She did enjoy several glasses of wine each week but she is sticking with it even though she hasn't even got a surgery date! It means months of being careful and following the instructions from her surgeon. Just saying.

Cheers, June S.

[fancydog]

I read a study I think from last year that showed alcohol in any amt temporarily elevated estrogen levels. That was all I needed to stop even an occassional glass of wine. I am hormone positive.But if you're Triple neg then why should it matter?

[Pbsoup in reply to fancydog]

I have heard that too. And that is why I rarely drink anymore. Dairy can have a similar effect--even grass fed types. I eat an occasional bite of really nice cheese but have also cut way back on dairy. My rule is if I do indulge it has to be worth it--really nice wine, artisanal cheese, etc. So I have small amounts that are really worth it!

[TammyCross]

Yes, it is old, but I found something perhaps more recent yesterday, I think on Web MD. I was looking up which foods are anti-inflammatory and if they are all estrogenic and therefore bad for ER+ bc. (I was looking for anti-inflammatory foods and supplements because Anastrozole makes my hips hurt.) The answer seemed to be yes. Ginger, garlic, turmeric are all anti-inflammatory and estrogenic. The surprise to me was that red wine, supposed to be healthy for your heart in moderation, especially after menopause when women's risk of heart attack and disease increases, is also estrogenic. They contain or produce phytoestrogen. Not sure what that means exactly, but warnings for us. And the NY Times article suggests that the apparent heart benefits of red wine might be a spurious correlation (that is, a third factor that is actually responsible for the benefit is incidentally also associated with drinking red wine).

[Pbsoup in reply to TammyCross]

Ginger and garlic? Really’. Yikes. Do you have a link to this?

[TammyCross]

No single link. A few months ago, when my periodontist recommended turmeric supplements to help my jaw heal after oral surgery for ONJ, I took it, then read it was estrogenic. Looked it up, stopped taking it, then read something else and started again, the read something else and stopped again. My oncologist said if it was estrogenic, I shouldn't take it. I posted about all of this, and people wrote back with their oncologists' opinions. The upshot of these varied opinions seemed to be it is okay in food, but supplements have too much. -- One interesting find was a study in which mega concentrations of turmeric are being used as an experimental treatment for mbc. It all seems to be about the dosage, and how much one can absorb. A huge dose may block estrogen receptors with a better form of estrogen, but a lower dose just increases available estrogen.

You can Google it and find it many places. I looked at MSK. I think Mayo also has something on it. Yes, ginger and garlic, in food only if you are ER+.

[Pbsoup in reply to TammyCross]

Interesting.

My nutritionist (out of UCSF so not a quack) researched curicumin for me when I heard or could impact Ibrance and recommended a specific formulation that was more bioavailable and less estrogenic. She highly recommends garlic and ginger. Ginseng on the other hand is not supposed to be good.

I will take a look at this. Thanks so much for your information

[TammyCross in reply to Pbsoup]

Tell me -- what is that formulation? I found the turmeric helpful in healing my jaw and was sorry to give it up. Does she recommend garlic and ginger in food or in supplements (higher strength)?

I just wrote my oncologist again and asked her if I should see a nutritionist or palliative care doc about my hip pain and possible supplements. She knew nothing about turmeric and didn't seem inclined to look anything up when I asked her about it in regard to my onj. I cc'd the one nurse practitioner in the breast oncology practice whose email I have. I think one of the other np's might be more inclined to do research. Hope my question about anti-inflammatories and estrogen gets passed along to her or someone in the practice who cares.