MBC and diet

[CalGal56]

Hi everyone

I was first diagnosed with BC in 2000. I had a recurrence (2nd primary) 17 years later. 6 years later I was diagnosed with MBC. I had a small tumor present in my dermis at the masectomy scar sight. They followed with surgery (a lumpectomy to the reconstructed breast and targeted radiation to the dermis only. I am now on Ibrance and Letrozole 18 months in NED.

I am curious about how you have or have not dealt with alcohol, how many of you completely gave up alcohol if you drank, of course and how many of you have continued to imbibe. If you are enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail, how often?

There is so much literature around alcohol and breast cancer. I read wine stimulates estrogen production. I read alcohol lowers the immune system. I read alcohol literally causes cell mutations. There has been “a lot” more I have read.

I have continued to have a glass of wine or cocktail every evening while on vacation. When home maybe once or twice a week. I get different feedback from different oncologists. Generally the response is we know it is harmful so we recommend you abstain or have a drink on special occasions only or switch to mocktails. .A few docs have said live your life, enjoy your life, be mindful exercise and eat healthy. They are not particularly adamant about not drinking.

Your thoughts? This has been weighing on me, but I am very social, live in wine country and love to entertain!

Thanks!

[Pbsoup]

I too live in wine country! When I was diagnosed every doctor I spoke to said alcohol was not good for breast cancer patients. This is rather boringly proven in studies. I allow myself a glass of this or that once in a while, but really think it may not be worth the risk.

Over the years I’ve lost my taste for it. So that helps. And when I do drink I make sure it’s the best wine or cocktail possible so it’s worth the splurge.

[CalGal56 in reply to Pbsoup]

Thank you Pbsoup! It is so helpful to hear other people’s perspectives and ideas. I have been thinking a lot about changing up my relationship with alcohol and make it a special occasion only treat and always have the best of the best - what a great idea.

I have a good friend who said you can always have a glass poured take a sip and no more or no sip at all - but have it there as a reminder of how you are taking care of yourself by not drinking it. I liked that approach too!

[Nocillo]

I’ve really lost my interest in drinking. Occasionally I’ll have a sip of something that sounds good if my husband is drinking it. My daughter recently introduced me to a non alcoholic Riesling that is quite good. But, mostly I try to find things that quench my frequent thirst.

[CalGal56 in reply to Nocillo]

Thanks Nocillo! I have been exploring non-alcohol spirits and wine. I find the spirits are far better than the wines (for me). And I am getting pretty good at mixology!

It is an interesting shift in perspective for me. I am very social and enjoy gathering and sharing in a glass of good wine…or…but…I am working toward an alcohol free lifestyle (or limited to once a month for special days). I am also single so I date and it is amazing how big a role alcohol plays in dating! And if I don’t drink - wham the questions start to fly. - I don’t share my cancer diagnosis until I really think the guy is worth pursuing 😉. Thats another topic for this forum!

[HelenWi]

I don’t think having a glass once a week is going to make a difference. A few weeks ago I went to Monterey for three days with my college roommate (we’re 72 now! ) and i had wine with my meal twice. I think you need to live your best life. But like the others, I miss wine less and less, and yes, it has to be good!

[Bettybuckets in reply to HelenWi]

So glad you chimed in.. I have small liver Mets… so when I wave off drinks or only have a half sip, I tell my friends that I am saving my liver for other things… ( like metabolizing chemo)

[CalGal56 in reply to HelenWi]

Hi Helen thanks for the reply! I don’t know if I will enjoy wine less and less coming from wine country and living it my whole life…but I am working on reframing how I bring it into my life now - it used to be a staple like milk so true for many of us who grew up in the midst of wine growing. Reframing my best life around my 5 month old Grand daughter is my focus now ☺️.

[Discocat]

Hi

I can only comment from my own perspective. I've had issues with my liver function when I reacted to my first medication when diagnosed de novo 3 years ago. The reaction was to Kisqali...it took some months to get the liver enzymes back in check...I'm now on ibrance with no issues.

On the back of this I'm very careful. My oncologist has warned me to limit all extra loads on my system. So no supplements, OTC medications/painkillers and no alcohol....plus I drink a tonne of water.

[CalGal56 in reply to Discocat]

Hi Discocat - interesting my oncologist also said to stay way from OTC pain killers and sleep aids. It’s all about the liver and kidneys. I only take Omega 3, American Wisconsin Ginseng recommended by my oncologist and Mayo Clinic for fatigue and joint pain, a probiotic and vitamin K with D3. Sounds like a lot but I have some MBC friends taking twice as many. It is so challenging, right? We don’t want to blame the victim (ourselves, for poor dietary habits) but at the same time we want to maintain if not create a healthy lifestyle that potentially gives us a hand up on the future. Having lived with breast cancer for 23 years and been an athlete and making healthy choices around food I think…whoa…what’s the message in all of this - and can I let go and let it be. If there is one thing we all know on this forum (and in my opinion we are blessed with this knowledge) - we really have no control, we simply have our lives to live in this blessed moment and WOW what a moment it is - when you truly know how short lived it can be. ❤️🙏🏼❤️

[fancydog]

After reading that alcohol increases estrogen for a while I decided no more for me, but if I find myself in a situation where there is a good Merlot I might have a few sips!

[CalGal56 in reply to fancydog]

Hi fancy dog, that is living one’s best life in my opinion - moderation was my Grandfather’s motto - with all aspects of living.

[Suite1000]

I was never a big drinker but have still cut back. A glass or two of wine at a nice restaurant or social occasion . Unfortunately, I do love wine. Going to a winery next week.

A cocktail on vacation. I know it would be better to give it up totally, but I feel that the limited amount I drink outweighs the pleasure I get from it.

I can go weeks without any alcohol.

I also know your not supposed to drink when you are pregnant. I would still on rare occasions have a glass of wine.

I know that total abstinence is the safest, but I feel a little isn't the end of the world. It seems people can do everything right and things still go wrong,

so for me it is worth a small risk.

[CalGal56 in reply to Suite1000]

Hi Suite 1000 - “It seems people can do everything right and things still go wrong.” I used to think of that often having lived with breast cancer for 23 years (off and on, in remission and not).

This is always in the back of my mind I often say, well I can be so healthy workout regularly, hike/walk 4-6 miles a day and eat a whole foods diet, and wham I get breast cancer 3 times. Then I think will there be a fourth or is this the end of the line and if it’s the end of the line why give up my joy and happiness by forbidding myself the guilty pleasures of life? And then another wham - wait you could be like your MBC pals who have lived 18+ years with MBC! So…my dilemma and my reason for posting this question to the forum. We are all living with this dis-ease around how we can best take care of our bodies in conjunction with our doctors guidance - and - thankfully organizations such as health unlocked gives us real life experiences we can leverage while navigating the uncertainty of life with MBC. So, thanks to everyone who has responded your candid responses mean so much to all.

[Liessie2014]

hi , I do drink lager quite a lot , I drink a 3.5 alcohol content now , I used to drink a stronger one , I did try and stop , I was eating a lot of sweet things and feeling really low , I decided to drink again , i am not saying it’s a good thing to drink regularly, but for me , I enjoy a drink and if for any reason my health becomes affected because of it I would stop , luckily up to now I have been lucky for 4 years of treatment with no problems because of alcohol, I do look forward to my few lagers on a night , but like I say , I am not saying it’s a good thing , ❤️

[CalGal56 in reply to Liessie2014]

Hi Liessie2014, thanks so much for your reply. Sharing your perspective is what this forum is all about. For me there is no good and no bad judgment, simply real life responses with real life experiences backing them up. Please don’t judge yourself, honor your honesty and continue to share your thoughts with all of us, everyone’s perspective has a message in it no matter how we interpret it.

[Liessie2014 in reply to CalGal56]

Thankyou so much CalGal56, I was wondering whether I should have shared my thoughts with everybody , you have made feel so much better , like you say , it’s good to be able to share honest real life responses , ❤️

[Winter-Flowers]

I don’t think twice about having a drink. If MBC has shown us is that it will follow its own course. I wouldn’t go on to be a silly drinker because too many drinks lowers your immune system. But have a drink, eat a piece of cake, I will not completely change my life. Cancer will do what cancer does, in the meantime, I will eat at the best restaurants and sabor every drop of a glass of wine. My friend, a cancer nurse, fit, super organic conscious eater, healthiest Mom - had stage zero breast cancer. It went into an even healthier liefestyle, stop working to lower stress, took on yoga, still 5 years later she died of peritoneal MBC.

I have been on Ibrance and Letrozole for 2.5 years and counting.

[CalGal56 in reply to Winter-Flowers]

Hi Winter-Flower, my heart goes out to your friend and her family and friends. It is always tough to lose someone close to your heart. I lost my sister (in 5 months) to pancreatic cancer 7 years ago and still think of her every day ❤️. She too was very healthy and athletic. I feel fortunate to have beat cancer 3 times in 23 years. I have changed something’s in my life adding ana daily exercise and a meditation practice focusing on stress reduction. And I eat more cake 🤗. All of these responses are wonderful to read. We are on our own journey - charting our own paths - all that matters is we are at peace as we travel along our way.

[Unicornuniverse]

I don't drink at all - It feels like poison on top of the meds in my system - I see no point in it, I find my joy and "high" in so many aspects of living I don't miss it at all!

[CalGal56]

Hi Unicornuniverse - thanks for your reply. I love your enthusiasm and positivity! Life is grand, and we are all lucky to be living on this beautiful earth of ours! Be well and strong and at peace 🩷