Environmental changes you've made to reduce risk of cancer?

[tothelefttotheleft]

I have breast cancer. Had a lumpectomy and currently doing chemo.

It's an unusual cancer for me to get as it usually affects younger woman, different ethnicity, don't have the brca gene etc.

I'm vegan, don't drink, don't smoke and exercise for two hours every day. I could do with some losing weight and maintaining it though.

So naturally I'm thinking what else I can do to avoid recurrence and protect my children etc.

For instance I have a plastic chopping board I've been using for 30 years and want to get rid of that and my non stick pans and maybe my Tupperware etc.

I'm curious what others do?

[CormorantStrikesBack]

Sorry can I ask how old you are (or are you male) because the average age for breast cancer is 62 so plenty of women will be over 62.

im vegetarian, don’t drink, don’t smoke, exercise quite a lot, cycle to work. Yes, I could do with losing a few pounds. Aren’t only half of cancers lifestyle related? The rest are down to genetics?

I don’t think I’d do anything more other than lose weight. I get the idea of getting rid of a plastic chopping board, but there’s plastic and hormones in the water and everywhere. Maybe I should drink bottled water?

anyway, I hope you’re doing ok.

[DGPP]

Sorry to hear about your cancer.
I think if you’re eating lots of vegetables and fruit and not drinking then that is a massive plus. You’re also exercising and mindful your BMI needs to be in a healthy range to reduce cancer risk.
Honestly, everything else will make barely any difference and there is only so much impact we can have on our cancer risk by ‘sorting out’ our lifestyles.
the rest is down to our genetics, age and sometimes plain bad luck.
the things you are talking getting rid have little rigorous scientific evidence saying they cause cancer. There may be some very casual links in studies, but that’s not the same as proof.
I wouldn’t go down a rabbit hole of searching for things to stop using or having. Sounds like you are doing all you can already

[Rosesanddaisies1]

There's only so much you can do, without living a miserable life. Staying a healthy weight, being active, reducing stress, lots of fruit and veg, plenty of water, limit alcohol. Cancer is unfortunate but impossible for everyone to avoid.

[Itscatsallthewaydown]

Nothing. Anything is better than a dementia.

[Egghead68]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Losing weight will statistically reduce your risk. You could also look into the evidence for turmeric.

[tothelefttotheleft]

@CormorantStrikesBack

Sorry can I ask how old you are (or are you male) because the average age for breast cancer is 62 so plenty of women will be over 62.

im vegetarian, don’t drink, don’t smoke, exercise quite a lot, cycle to work. Yes, I could do with losing a few pounds. Aren’t only half of cancers lifestyle related? The rest are down to genetics?

I don’t think I’d do anything more other than lose weight. I get the idea of getting rid of a plastic chopping board, but there’s plastic and hormones in the water and everywhere. Maybe I should drink bottled water?

anyway, I hope you’re doing ok.

I'm 51.

[tothelefttotheleft]

@Itscatsallthewaydown

Nothing. Anything is better than a dementia.

Not sure dying at 51 is better. My dad has dementia but he's 83. It's a lot of life to lose out on.

[tothelefttotheleft]

@Egghead68

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Losing weight will statistically reduce your risk. You could also look into the evidence for turmeric.

I really struggle to keep my weight down. I used to be really big and I lost 8 stone low carbing.

[tothelefttotheleft]

@DGPP

Sorry to hear about your cancer.
I think if you’re eating lots of vegetables and fruit and not drinking then that is a massive plus. You’re also exercising and mindful your BMI needs to be in a healthy range to reduce cancer risk.
Honestly, everything else will make barely any difference and there is only so much impact we can have on our cancer risk by ‘sorting out’ our lifestyles.
the rest is down to our genetics, age and sometimes plain bad luck.
the things you are talking getting rid have little rigorous scientific evidence saying they cause cancer. There may be some very casual links in studies, but that’s not the same as proof.
I wouldn’t go down a rabbit hole of searching for things to stop using or having. Sounds like you are doing all you can already

I read that when you scratch a non stick pan it releases thousands of micro plastic particles.

I appreciate your reply.

[tothelefttotheleft]

@Rosesanddaisies1

There's only so much you can do, without living a miserable life. Staying a healthy weight, being active, reducing stress, lots of fruit and veg, plenty of water, limit alcohol. Cancer is unfortunate but impossible for everyone to avoid.

Have trouble reducing stress and sleeping well as I'm a carer for my disabled children.

I've read lots about sleep being important.

[Itscatsallthewaydown]

@tothelefttotheleft

Not sure dying at 51 is better. My dad has dementia but he's 83. It's a lot of life to lose out on.

I’m 54 now. I’d rather die tomorrow than develop dementia.

[Itscatsallthewaydown]

@tothelefttotheleft

I read that when you scratch a non stick pan it releases thousands of micro plastic particles.

I appreciate your reply.

One you become that neurotic you lose any joy in life.

[tothelefttotheleft]

@Itscatsallthewaydown

Or I could just change the type of pan I use so I don't ingest more micro plastics......

[Itscatsallthewaydown]

@tothelefttotheleft

@Itscatsallthewaydown

Or I could just change the type of pan I use so I don't ingest more micro plastics......

There’s microplastics everywhere. It’s in the water from the tap. It’s in the water from a bottle.

[Enthrallingstoryofstillnessandlight]

They've found micro plastics in Antarctica so I honestly wouldn't get fixated on those .

[Bbq1]

I've had exactly the same cancer twice. First time was 12 years ago and it returned a couple of months ago. I have never smoked or taken drugs, haven touched alcohol for 16 years. I eat healthily, i am active. Cancer doesn't discriminate, sports people can get it. My experience is just pure bad luck. I beat it once and I will again but i would drive myself mad looking for reasons why.

[tothelefttotheleft]

I think people are imagining I'm fixating or overly worried about this stuff.

I'm not.

Just if there are things I can do to live in a healthier way then I'll consider them.

[Angrymum22]

I take a very pragmatic view to my lifestyle post breast cancer.

I could live the rest of my life, which could be a couple of years or 20+ years, following every crack pot diet, method or alternative treatment or I can just enjoy the rest of my life however long I have left. Having done a great deal of research on Google scholar ( which filters out nearly all the unsubstantiated claims) there is very little that you can do to prevent recurrence.
What I have discovered it that a diet that avoids UPfoods, no alcohol, keeping your weight stable, exercise ( you only need 30mins of moderate exercise such as walking) and an optimistic outlook is probably the best course.
You can spend far too much time worrying about what may or not happen.
My sister, who is now 21 yrs post breast cancer, lives by the mantra “ what will be will be” she has a healthy diet but still enjoys very unhealthy treats. She was diagnosed age 33, so there were no certainties.
Im afraid there is no secret to eternal life. Just enjoy every day.

[TheFormidableMrsC]

I haven't really made any changes. I had breast cancer which was diagnosed 4 years ago. I'm currently fine I think! Mine was triggered by medication (I believe, and there is research to support that) but it was hormone led and very common at my age then (I was 50).

I am a little overweight but I am very fit and exercise and lift daily. I asked my consultant what I needed to change and he said "nothing". He said there was nothing I could have done and there is nothing I can do going forward. I asked if I should give up wine. He said absolutely not. I think all the sensible things apply. Keep fit, don't smoke, moderate alcohol, reasonable diet, stay within a healthy weight, however none of these things will prevent it and I know plenty of slim, teetotal vegans who have had cancer. It's largely just bloody bad luck.

It has never occurred to me to change my pots or pans. I don't think you can avoid plastics at all now. They are in absolutely everything. Similarly with UPF's. I try to be healthy and that's all you can do. I wish you a speedy recovery and when it's done, just enjoy your life. The one thing I will add is that I believe years of relentless extreme stress during my divorce didn't help my body at all. I'm a lone parent to a SN child and life is challenging at times but I absolutely will not allow myself to get stressed. I think it does so much damage so I avoid it. Good luck OP!

[MissFizzyPop]

@tothelefttotheleft

I have breast cancer. Had a lumpectomy and currently doing chemo.

It's an unusual cancer for me to get as it usually affects younger woman, different ethnicity, don't have the brca gene etc.

I'm vegan, don't drink, don't smoke and exercise for two hours every day. I could do with some losing weight and maintaining it though.

So naturally I'm thinking what else I can do to avoid recurrence and protect my children etc.

For instance I have a plastic chopping board I've been using for 30 years and want to get rid of that and my non stick pans and maybe my Tupperware etc.

I'm curious what others do?

Sorry that you are having to deal with cancer. This is a really interesting thread to me, as my parents have had 4 instances of cancer between them (2* bowel, breast and non-hodgkins lymphoma) so I'm very conscious of risk. Like you I'm vegan, drink incredibly rarely, don't smoke and exercise regularly. I could do with losing more than a little bit of weight.
I am midway through reading Dr Gregor's How Not To Die - it changes the perspective from cutting things out to adding foods which can benefit your health https://nutritionfacts.org/

[transplantplant]

Hi OP, look into extended water fasting and autophagy. Once you hit about 48hrs of fasting your body starts to go into autophagy which eats up all the bad older cells and is meant to be very healthy in terms of cancer prevention etc. I realise this may sound controversial, and it's not without risks and must be done safely and fully researched (with electrolytes if necessary) and will full knowledge and worked up to slowly rather than jumped straight into. There are lots of other benefits as well.