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?

I agree with all that Monty posted.

REN cosmetics, no powerful chemicals in the home, care around new stuff like carpets/mattress as they give out pretty bad fumes. I just think its sensible.

Pesticide action network have a free guide to the fruit and veg that is most sprayed.

I don't worry about it all, I just take sensible precautions to lower the load of unhelpful chemical cocktails. Looking at getting a water filter as well as our water smells appallingly of chemicals. I know the water companies have to avoid us getting ill but it doesn't smell like something you'd want to take on board.

Just so you know I'm the least saintly person ever, I do like a glass of coke and I'm overweight. Have CFS so can't do much exercise but I over eat.

It's just about balancing what changes you're comfortable with and not overthinking too much. Lots of colourful veg is key. Tomatoes in all forms raw and cooked.

I started thinking about all this in my late teens when I worked on a cancer ward. I also have a very lovely friend who has survived cancer twice, and taken notes from her. She has a health related doctorate.

I'm aware but I don't worry about it.

I've made changes for my son rather than for me - after all he's only 14 so will exposed to this chemical/plastic soup for longer than me and I'm worried it will affect puberty, fertility, growth, future health for him.

So a few years ago I began:

• buying as much organic food as I possibly could - including veg, dairy, pasta, rice, meat and flour
• building up my glass storage box collection for fridge and freezer - got loads now - jam jars are great for storage too
• using ceramic for roasting and oven bakes rather than non stick trays
• (most expensive part) bought a charcoal water filter - water tastes really nice now. Gets rid of microplastics, pesticides, herbicides and pharmaceuticals. I filter all water I use now including for cooking veg/rice etc.

Who knows for sure if it will help but they were easy changes to make.

Strikes me that it's not the people on this thread who might need some advice - since most posters know the general rules and lead a reasonably moderate lifestyle. It's those who don't and won't, or who don't know and won't inform themselves that may be in the danger zone.

I follow the theory of "Sniper Alley". If you get through your 50s relatively unscathed, you're in for a good spin on the roundabout after that!

Life and death in Sniper's Alley – how to cope in your frightening 50s (telegraph.co.uk)

Have you found anything to replace the plastic school lunch box? Plastic water bottle as well but may need to keep that as his water intake needs monitoring...

His lunch is in a paper bag, in a lunch box.
He takes stainless steel water bottle.

Crisps are the one thing there seems to be no way round the plastic packaging.
Most things are bought wrapped in plastic, cornflakes, bread, so it's a bit impossible to avoid it.

@specialsauce Thanks, good ideas. I know, we are surrounded by the stuff.

DH makes bread about 50% of the time with organic flour and we just cover with a clean tea towel so that cuts plastic exposure a bit. Can't avoid all risk but managing it to reduce is best we can do.

Got some ceremic baking pots so going to try and use them more and non stick less.

Ditch the non stick pans, it's not just plastic in them but the really nasty "forever chemicals". We only use stainless steel or cast iron pans for all cooking.

DD has a glass bottle and a stainless steel one. Lunch box is stainless steel as well 😊

Two farmers crisps aren't plastic

Could you recommend any frying pans?

I use Greenpan.

Interested to know what water filter you are using? I'm looking at getting one but confused by all the different types.

Hi @Konfuzzled

I started with a Phox and saved up for a Berkey.

I still use the Phox as it's portable and the Berkey isnt.

The water tastes really nice and even the cat drinks it - the cat would never drink the tap water

@specialsauce sensible cat! Ours will drink tap water but does like the slaves to stand by the bath running a tiny dribble so she can lick the running water. Then wait until madam has concluded before turning tap off.

Water filter is on our list to invest in.

@MontySaucy

Thank you for your reply.

What do you use instead of aluminium foil?

Slowest update ever lol.

Finished. Chemo in August and radio in September.

Put a lot of weight on. Tried to sort it right after treatment and fell apart. Gave myself grace until jan 1st and now focusing on my health.

Thankyou for asking.

@Alltheyearround

I had a water filter but hated the taste of the water from it.

@specialsauce

Can you tell me more about your charcoal water filter please?

Also if things come in plastic should I be putting them in a different container or does that make no difference? Things like pasta? Crisps?

It's not a competition but I'll be sure to let my family know that me having terminal cancer at 53 is a good option. Sometimes better to keep your fingers off the keyboard...

I bought this one as it is made of glass and the charcoal comes in a paper bag so there is no waste at all.
https://www.phoxwater.com/collections/jugs/products/phox-v2-water-filter

I got mine in last years January offer with the 3 months free filters - they are doing this again at the moment. I got the alkaline filters as they add magnesium to the water - I am in perimenopause so this is a bonus!
They do 3 types of filter for different water types across the uk - they are each slightly different,

The charcoal filters can be ordered online and posted through the letterbox. It works out as about £4.50 per month.
The water tastes really nice and clean!

Thankyou @specialsauce.

What's the evidence that exposure to plastic causes cancer?

And glad you have finished your treatment @tothelefttotheleft
Must be a relief!