Treating estrogen responsive cancer naturally
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I'm wondering if a test on a blood sugar meter at home would indicate IGF-1 levels. Does anyone know? I have been googling and not finding a clear answer. It would be great if I could use my blood sugar meter to figure out if this fasting regimen is doing any good with my IGF-1.
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Hello, new to this site. I was first diagnosed Jan 1991. Right breast lumpectomy. Lymph node positive. Chemo, radiation, tamoxifen. Side effects of tamoxifen were horrible. I was 39 years old.
June 2010, rediagnosed. Double mastectomy with reconstruction. No meds. Was told I was low risk.
Oct. 2015, re diagnosed with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer. Tumor at C7. On the spine but not in the spine. Radiation and Anastrozole. Was told I had 2 years to live. No other action taken. Only a CT scan and bone scan every 3 months. I decided I was not going to leave my life in the hands of doctors. Did my own homework and research. Went completely Paleo and started taking ImmPower. A Japanese mushroom that kills cancer cells and boosts the immune system. A year and a half later there was absolutely no sign of cancer anywhere in my body. I was told it was dormant and I would never be cancer free. My cancer has now been dormant for a little over a year. The mind boggling part is that over the last two and a half years, not ONE SINGLE oncologist has EVER asked me what was I doing. Clearly NOTHING they are doing would cause my cancer to be gone. Are they not even curious as to something that could help other patients? I attribute my success to the ImmPower and eating Paleo. Not consuming sugar. Especially since cancer cells thrive on sugar. Why would anyone choose to feed their cancer.
Before I was diagnosed the second time I was tested for the braca gene. I was negative. My maternal grandmother died from breast cancer at the age of 53. My Aunt on my moms side had breast cancer when she was 35 years old. They thought for sure I would be positive.
Now I would like to find a natural alternative to Anastrozole. A natural estrogen blocker
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- Written by David Rakel MD, FAAFP
Low fat diets may reduce the risk of recurrence of hormone sensitive cancers
Two studies published this week offer caution to survivors of breast and prostate cancer when choosing what to eat. Eating a low-fat diet appears to be beneficial in these hormone-sensitive cancers at preventing a recurrence. The exact reason is unknown but suggested hypotheses include the following:
- Saturated fat is rich in arachidonic acid, which is the precursor of the inflammatory cascade. Cancer growth and recurrence is promoted with systemic inflammation (steroids are used to prevent arachidonic acid from being mobilized from the cell membrane).
- Fat is made of cholesterol, which is the building block for hormones. Eating more of these foods may increase hormones indirectly by increasing cholesterol levels that may increase the risk of breast and prostate cancer.
- Most mammals store toxins in subcutaneous fat. Eating this fat from other animals increases the consumer's toxic load. This is greatly increased through the consumption of red and processed meats.
- Milk and dairy products are rich in hormones—some natural (estrogen, prolactin) and some that were put there (insulin-like growth factor 1; IGF-1). Estrogens are lipophilic and are found in higher concentrations in whole-fat milk. In contrast, prolactin and IGF-1 are more lipophobic and are found in higher concentrations in low-fat milk.
Nutrition studies are challenging to interpret due to the many confounders, errors in recall, and the lack of knowledge of food nutrient interactions for benefit or harm. That being said, with the best evidence we have to date, I will encourage my patients who have had breast or prostate cancer to avoid excessive amounts of animal fat and to avoid the "Western diet," which is defined in this study as one that is low in fruits and vegetables. Risky high–animal fat diets include the "paleo diet" and "low-carb" or "ketogenic" diets, which are often used for weight loss.
0 - Saturated fat is rich in arachidonic acid, which is the precursor of the inflammatory cascade. Cancer growth and recurrence is promoted with systemic inflammation (steroids are used to prevent arachidonic acid from being mobilized from the cell membrane).
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Maclt98, welcome to our community, and thank you for sharing your experience. So tests show you NED? You may want to discuss what you have been doing with your treatment team. They may be interested to hear about what you have chosen, and how it has affected your prognosis.
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New poster on this thread, so apologies if my questions have been answered previously (which I'm sure they have! 2,377 posts!!). I had DCIS two years ago, just got an IDC dx on Friday, this time hormone receptor positive. I am not thrilled about having to get a SNB (I opted out last time), and also not thrilled about having to be on an AI for 10 years (I am postmenopausal). This morning I started researching foods that have an AI-type impact. (Ran out and bought mushrooms, celery, and several bottles of Pinot Noir. And I'm sitting here with a cup of green tea. :-) )
I am looking for women who elected *not* to go on an AI, but instead have changed their diet, and are having a good outcome?
(And it looks like there's been an intermittent fasting discussion going on? It's funny--at a post-tx check-in with my RO about 1.5 years ago, we were talking general health stuff and she said she'd been intermittent fasting, not for weight loss, but more for the other health benefits. It got me thinking and I've been skipping breakfast pretty much ever since. I did up my time at the gym too and ended up down about 35 pounds a year later.)
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Hi there. I refused anti hormone therapy from the start. I lost 30 pounds and try to exercise daily. I also try to avoid sugar, especially high fructose corn syrup. I take several supplements. I've been NED for 3 years. So far so good! Let me know if you have any questions for me. Good luck...
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dtad--I'd love to hear what supplements you're taking, if you made any dietary changes, . . . Also if there are any websites you particularly trust to guide you in this. (I did a fair amount of researching yesterday and there is real, NIH-sponsored clinical study evidence that some foods/drinks do act as an AI.) I'm also asking people about impacts of losing lymph nodes--any LE for you?
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Ingerp - I had 23 lymph nodes removed (1 affected) in January 2017. I have lymphedema in my hand and arm. So far I am able to keep it under control by wearing a compression sleeve and glove. Lately, I have been able to just have kiniesiology tape on my arm so I alternate the KT and the compression sleeve and glove. My diet and exercise plays a big part in keeping the LE in check, too. It's a whole new lifestyle because LE can become an issue at any time.
I like the Elyn Jacobs website for natural methods of cancer prevention. Elynjacobs.com
Supplements that I take: Evening Primrose Oil, Fish oil, Multi-vitamin, DIM, Vit D3, Vit C, CoQ10, Tummeric with Pepperine, Magnolia Bark extract, and baby aspirin.
That said, I cannot supply documented research on any of the above that any of what I do works, and none of it is supported by the AMA. So I figured I would add that little disclaimer before someone else starts hammering away about how some or most of this is not proven.
Edited to say: some of the supplements I take are for conditions that I am genetically inclined for, not cancer. Cancer was not on the radar until recently so I have it added to my list of ailments to try to prevent.
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Roger all that, GoKale, and I hear ya. Sometimes you gotta go with your gut (and really, eating better and taking some supplements ain't a bad thing!). Thanks for the information.
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Ingerp...I take DIM in leu of an anti hormone. I also take melatonin, mushroom extract, baby aspirin, berberine and turmeric. The only dietary change has been avoiding high fructose corn syrup. No lymph edema so far! Hope this helps.
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dtad--thanks for this. I thought we had some Melatonin around so have been taking it the last two nights, and I've been eating mushrooms like crazy this week. I also started adding turmeric when I can a while ago (although am not sure you get enough that way? I know it's available in capsules)--I've been on an anti-inflammatory kick (starting before the dx). I don't think I have any high fructose corn syrup in my diet--probably haven't for years. Had not heard of DIM but will research it.
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https://drjockers.com/best-aromatase-inhibiting-fo...
Informative article I found on line about aromatase-inhibiting foods. Now some folks will claim that some of the sources used for the article are organizations that sell supplements and the guy who wrote this is not a medical doctor. However, much of the information in there is stuff I have seen over and over again. It's encouraging to me to see keep seeing the same dietary recommendations from multiple sources.
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Thanks, GoKale!
Great article.
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I am new to this site, never posted before but read all the responses and suggestions. I too stopped taking prescribed AI's because of the side effects. The thought of being on them for 10 years was frightening since I am 66 years old and the side effects made me feel defeated. I'm concentrating on increasing my exercise daily and eating a plant based diet but have been taking Liposomal Tumeric and Myomin as was suggested by my acupuncturist. Has anyone else had experience with theses two supplements? Sometimes all the info is confusing and overwhelming and would love some feedback.
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Hi there. I take turmeric as an anti inflammatory.
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Barbara - welcome! Thank you for mentioning Myomin because I had never heard of it. I looked it up online and it sounds good for estrogen. I take DIM to help metabolize estrogen. I also take Tummeric with pepperine for anti-cancer and anti inflammatory. I haven't had any side effects from these or the other stuff I take.
The other supplements are: Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, CoQ10 (for my heart), Evening Primrose Oil (to help balance hormones and keep my skin clear), Multi-vitamin, Fish Oil, DIM, Magnolia Bark Extract (for anti-cancer and Lymphnode function), baby aspirin (anti-cancer). And that's it! lol However, now I will have to consider Myomin and maybe add it or replace DIM with it. I will have to read about it.
Also, I try to exercise 86 minutes every day because I read that 10-19 hours a week of exercise helps reduce recurrence. I just started time-restricted eating a few weeks ago, and I am incorporating more fruits and vegetables and other good things in my diet.
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GoKale, yep, I do the same, aim for 90 minutes of physical activity per day and leave 13 hours between dinner and breakfast. Neither is terribly difficult. It may stave off recurrence, but also has the happy side effect of maintaining my weight and keeping my butt from sliding down to my knees
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Hi all,
Am reading this thread with interest. I had a mastectomy and radiation, and am supposed to start Arimidex next month. I am highly resistant to the protocol, based on everything I have read about SEs. I have followed a plant-based, very low-fat diet for the last seven years, and aim to continue that, but of course am scared about the possibility of recurrence. I also think that, of all the treatments, the drugs are the one that scare me the most, especially the "five to ten years" and risks to health and quality of life.
I have been trying to increase my daily exercise as well as keeping my diet high in fruits and vegetables.
I've avoided pharmaceuticals for much of my life, and would like to continue to be free of them, especially a strong drug like an AI. I am afraid to venture away from conventional treatment, so it's a real dilemma at this point.
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miranda--just passing on a comment from my BS. I too have struggled with all of the proposed tx. I really need to be convinced of things. And I don't take any medications/supplements (okay--occasionally some Advil). At my last post-op appt with my BS, we talked about what was coming. He is not an oncologist but does know a lot about BC. He told me rads and an AI "have the biggest bang for the buck". He also said if it were a female family member refusing an AI, he'd crush it up and sneak it into her food--he is that big a believer. It turned me around immediately. I don't take the SEs light *at all*, but find myself completely on board when the time comes.
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Thanks for the perspective, Ingerp -- sneak it in their food, lol! It is possible I will be one of those who find the AI tolerable. The data in favor of it is pretty persuasive, but the list of SEs is also sobering.
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Trying not to let my head go too far down the SE path for any of my tx. My BS knew of one study where more women dropped out because of SEs who were getting the placebo than those who were getting the drug. Human beings can be funny. . .
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GoKale,
I see you say that you are taking DIM. I guess I don't fully understand the difference of a supplement that would metabolize estrogen and a supplement that encourages your body to make estrogen. Obviously if we are ER+ we would want to reduce our estrogen. Can you help me with the info about DIM and how it relates to BC patients? Even if you have a source you trust and can send me a link for the info.
Thank you!!
trhb
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Miranda, the list of potential SEs from the AIs is quite staggering. Thing is, although some people have severe SEs, most do not. I have been on an AI for 6 years so far. I was put surgically into menopause first, so it was sudden and severe menopause. The first few months were tough, but the body is quite amazing, it adjusts.
I was also scared out of my mind when I started the meds, but what convinced me was what my physical therapist said. She told me to stay on those pills as long as I could possibly stand it. She had several clients who had relapsed after going off the AI.
My most annoying SE is foot pain, which is from the AI irritating my joints. Exercise helps. Sticking to a healthy diet helps too. But the bottom line, for me anyway, is that a bit of foot pain beats being dead.
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TRHBFC - DIM is supposed to help metabolize the excess estrogen to help balance hormones.
https://www.livestrong.com/article/430364-the-bene...
http://fortwaynephysicalmedicine.com/blog/the-bene...
Those are two links to the benefits of DIM
Another website I like is Elyn Jacobs https://elynjacobs.com/
She has an article called "Natural alternatives to hormone therapy for breast cancer" https://elynjacobs.com/2017/04/14/natural-alternat...
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Mormine, thanks for your perspective. Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the main objective (staying alive!). I just had a bone density test today in preparation for starting the AIs next month. It's nice to know that the body adjusts to SEs, too. Most of what I've read -- studies and books -- indicate that the benefits far outweigh the risks.
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I do not know how DIM interacts with AI's or Tamoxifen so if you are on these, definitely do some research.
My MO is not interested in any of the supplements I take. He just wants me to take Tamoxifen, which I have refused. I found most of my information from the Elyn Jacobs website. So really, none of this is guaranteed to work.
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i had asked before about using dim and tamox and it's a no. I would think same with ai. Thankfully i do well on tamox being I'm stage 3 high risk profile to progress. Wish i could add dim but between the 2, tamox has a longer and more proven track record. Good luck to all.
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Hi everyone. I take DIM in leu of an aromatase inhibitor and have from the start. The theory behind it is that there are good and bad estrogens. DIM is suppose to decrease the bad estrogen that causes breast cancer but increase the estrogen that we all need for every other parts of our body! For me, so far so good. I'm 3 years NED. However I don't know anything about taking it with an anti hormone. Seems somewhat contradictory to me. Also you will most likely never get a conventional doc to ok it. Good luck to all...
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Glad I came to this section of the forum. On Tuesday I was prescribef letrozole. I took one Wednesday night and a few hours later my whole right side went numb. I thought it might be the calcium and vitamin d I took along with it so the next night I took the letrozole at supper time and the vitamins after. Same numbnesd after taking just letrozole.
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HapB...I did a lot of research and spoke to many intelligent women on this forum that are interested in alternative treatments. I actually had 2 tumors. One was IDC and the other was ILC. They were both 1 cm. I have multiple autoimmune disease that is very debilitating so I knew I did not want to take anything that would further impact my QOL. I was 62 at the time of my diagnosis. My children are grown which also influenced my decision. IMO weight loss and daily exercise decrease recurrence rates by almost the same percentage as anti hormones. So I lost 30 pounds and try to exercise daily. DIM is not a prescription. Its a supplement called Breast Defend. No I'm not working with a doctor. Conventional docs would never ok it! I'm 3 years NED. So far so good! Good luck to all.
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