Side Effects Of Her2 Targeted Drug Therapy
The side effects of HER2 targeted drugs are often mild, but some can be serious. Discuss what you can expect with your doctor. If you are pregnant, you should not take these drugs. They can harm and even cause death to the fetus. If you could become pregnant, talk to your doctor about using effective birth control while taking these drugs.
Types Of Invasive Breast Cancer
Most breast cancers are invasive, meaning the cancer has spread from the original site to other areas, like nearby breast tissue, lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body. Invasive breast cancer cells break through normal breast tissue barriers and spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymph nodes.
Chemo For Triple Negative Breast Cancer What To Expect
Yesterday, my mum was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer. She has one 22mm tumor and they dont think there is any lymph node involvement, but shes having a CT scan tomorrow to check whether the cancer is anywhere else.
They want her to start chemo in 2 weeks, for 3 months. We dont really have much more info than that at the moment but we will have a meeting on Wednesday about her treatment plan.
I’m a mess, I’m only 23 years old and my mothers only 47. They have said the treatment plan has an 80% chance of being successful which I know is good odds. But I’ve also read about the liklihood of recurrence with TNBC and that’s already freaking me out.
She has also said she wants me to be the primary caregiver. She wants me to move back home with her to support her whilst she has chemo. I really want to be there for her in every way imaginable but I don’t know if my mental health can withstand being basically her only carer – especially if she has a particularly bad reaction to chemo.
We dont really have any other family, and the family we do have are isolating because of covid, so I dont know how much they’ll be able to help either. Its just so scary, I have PTSD and I struggle to get myself dressed, fed, and sleeping at a regular time even before this we received this diagnosis, so I’m worried I wont be able to keep up with her care and will end up having a mental breakdown, and wont be any to help her at all.
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Breast Cancer Food Guide
There is no specific diet that is recommended for people with breast cancer. Your nutrient needs may vary depending on many factors that include other medical diagnoses, your body weight, nutrient deficiencies, medications, and any symptoms that youre currently experiencing.
Your healthcare team, including a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition, can help you come up with an appropriate eating plan specific to your needs and overall health. The following foods are based on general recommendations to maintain overall health while living with breast cancer:
- whole, nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, protein sources like chicken and turkey, fatty fish like trout or salmon, and plant-based proteins sources like lentils and nuts
- foods high in healthy fats and protein. If you need to maintain or gain weight, incorporate sources of healthy fat like nuts and seeds, avocados, and olive oil as well as protein sources like eggs, chicken, lentils, and fish. Protein-rich foods are especially important for maintaining muscle mass.
- blended liquids such as milkshakes, smoothies, juices, or soups for those times when you dont feel like eating solid foods
- high fiber foods like whole grains, flax seeds, legumes, vegetables and fruits to treat constipation
Watch Alcohol And Salt Intake
Drink only a little alcohol or skip it altogether. Women who drink three to six alcoholic drinks a week have a 15% greater chance of breast cancer. Alcohol can inflame your liver as it works to break down chemo drugs. Alcohol can also worsen mouth sores caused by chemo.
Salty foods can raise your blood pressure. Avoid pickled, cured, or smoked foods that are high in salt.
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Triple Negative Breast Cancer And Diet: Foods To Eat And Avoid
Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone or for a protein called HER2. As such, TNBC does not respond to certain treatments for other types of breast cancer.
Although there are currently no set dietary recommendations for people with TNBC, studies show that diet may influence the development and progression of cancer. Moreover, a nutritious diet can help a person maintain their strength, energy levels, and overall health while undergoing cancer treatment.
This article outlines the nutrition needs of people living with TNBC. It also lists foods to eat and avoid, meal-planning tips, and recipe ideas for people living with cancer and those undergoing cancer treatment.
National Cancer Institute advises that good nutrition is important before, during, and after cancer treatment.
A registered dietitian or nutritionist can help a person with cancer make dietary changes that may assist with the following:
- maintaining a moderate body weight
- maintaining physical strength
- altered sense of smell or taste
- nausea or vomiting
- stress or anxiety
A doctor or dietitian can advise a person on how to consume enough calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to support their overall health. They may suggest the following:
Is Triple Negative Cancer Harder To Treat
The type of cancer cell found in Triple Negative Breast Cancer is more common in women with BRCA1 gene mutations, younger women, African-Americans and Hispanics. Triple Negative Breast Cancer makes up about 15% of breast cancer cases and is more difficult to treat because it lacks a specific target.
Since it is more difficult to treat, people with this diagnosis can be especially fearful and also feel there isnt much they can do to help themselves fight against this cancer. I want to share some information about recent studies and scientific evidence to show you that triple negative patients may not be as powerless as they once thought.
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Foods That Prevent Breast Cancer
The food you eat can be either the safest and the most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. Ann Wigmore
This quote stands especially true in todays scenario, where food safety is a critical issue. We live in an instant world where everything is accessible in a matter of minutes. Right from the 2-minute noodle pack to the readymade pre-cooked meal packets, we have a variety of quick-fix food products to savor our taste buds. Healthy eating has taken a backseat because of our stressful and fast-paced lifestyles.
In this article, we will discuss
- The top 15foods to prevent breast cancer.
- The foods you need to avoid.
- Importance of healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.
You are what you eat. The way to a healthy lifestyle starts in your kitchen. Being healthy is not only about having a good body with beautiful skin and hair. Being Healthy is all about being disease free throughout your life. One should pay attention to what and how we cook and eat.
A well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in added sugar and trans-fats can improve your health and reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Diet May Influence The Spread Of A Deadly Type Of Breast Cancer Study Finds
A single protein building block commonly found in food may hold a key to preventing the spread of an often-deadly type of breast cancer, according to a new multicenter study published today in the medical journal Nature.
Investigators found that by limiting an amino acid called asparagine in laboratory mice with triple-negative breast cancer, they could dramatically reduce the ability of the cancer to travel to distant sites in the body. Among other techniques, the team used dietary restrictions to limit asparagine.
Foods rich in asparagine include dairy, whey, beef, poultry, eggs, fish, seafood, asparagus, potatoes, legumes, nuts, seeds, soy and whole grains. Foods low in asparagine include most fruits and vegetables.
“Our study adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests diet can influence the course of the disease,” said Simon Knott, PhD, associate director of the Cedars-Sinai Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics and one of two first authors of the study. The research was conducted at more than a dozen institutions.
If further research confirms the findings in human cells, limiting the amount of asparagine cancer patients ingest could be a potential strategy to augment existing therapies and to prevent the spread of breast cancer, Knott added.
The researchers discovered that the appearance of asparagine synthetasethe enzyme cells used to make asparaginein a primary tumor was strongly associated with later cancer spread.
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What Does This Mean For Me
While the human body is far more complex than cells in a petri dish, this experiment gives us a hypothesis, namely that
Since restricting methionine for isolated cancer cells is toxic, restricting methionine from the diet of a cancer patient could help to kill cancer cells, reduce their proliferation and make the drug lexatumumab more effective. The next step to testing this hypothesis is an animal model.
What Are The Treatment Options For Male Breast Cancer
The treatment for Male Breast Cancer may be decided based on different factors including the stage and extent of spread of the cancer, cancer characteristics, symptoms, patients general health and medical history, whether the cancer can be removed completely by surgery and whether the cancer was just diagnosed or had come back. The treatment options for Male Breast Cancer include:
- Targeted Therapy
As part of the diet, avoid including those foods and supplements that may adversely interact with the treatments for Male Breast Cancer.
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What Food Is Good For Triple
What food is good for triple-negative breast cancer? At the 2013 American Association for Cancer Research conference, researchers presented findings that omega-3 fatty acids slow down triple-negative breast cancer. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include sardines, tuna, trout, salmon, as well as flax and hemp, etc.
What foods should I avoid with triple-negative breast cancer?
Foods to limit or avoid for triple negative breast cancer
- Bacon and other processed meats.
- Beef and veal, especially liver.
- High fructose corn syrup.
- Indian mustard or black mustard.
What causes triple-negative breast cancer growth? Triple negative breast cancer differs from other types of breast cancer in that the cancer cells do not have receptors for estrogen, progesterone or HER-2/neu hormones. When these receptors are present and exposed to the corresponding hormones, they can stimulate the cancer to grow.
Can you beat triple-negative breast cancer? Its one of the most challenging breast cancers to treat. But researchers are making steady progress toward more effective treatments. Overall, 77% of women who have triple negative breast cancer are alive five years after diagnosis.
What Is Her2 And What Does It Mean
HER2 is a protein that helps breast cancer cells grow quickly. Breast cancer cells with higher than normal levels of HER2 are called HER2-positive. These cancers tend to grow and spread faster than breast cancers that are HER2-negative, but are much more likely to respond to treatment with drugs that target the HER2 protein.
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Limit Total And Added Sugars
Sugars are naturally found in many foods, such as fresh fruit and milk. Its okay to eat naturally occurring sugars in moderate portions.
Some foods have added sugars . Foods and drinks with added sugars can add too many calories to your diet. Over time, this can make you overweight or obese. They can also cause issues with your blood sugar and insulin . Insulin issues can include chronic hyperglycemia , hyperinsulinemia , and insulin resistance. These conditions may increase your risk for getting breast cancer and some other types of cancer. The World Health Organization recommends having no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day. This measure is for someone eating 2,000 calories a day.
Follow these recommendations to limit the amount of sugar you eat:
- Read food labels to find out how much added sugar a food or drink has.
- Grams and % Daily Value are now required for added sugars. Less sugar is better.
- Ingredients are listed in descending order. This means that the product has more of the ingredients that are listed first and less of those listed last. Make sure sugar isnt one of the first few ingredients on the list.
- Food labels list added sugars in many ways. Some names to watch for are:
If you have other health concerns talk with your clinical dietitian nutritionist.
The Danger Of Creating Food Scarcity
Everyone knows hard candy isnt health food, but for those who love it, it offers other benefits.
Like the pure joy of eating it.
If you adore hard candy, banishing it from your diet is that torture I spoke of earlier.
It drives feelings of deprivation, guilt and shame. You likely consider yourself bad when you allow yourself to eat it.
Lying, cheating, and stealing make you bad. Eating hard candy does not.
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Dos And Donts For Estrogen
Breast cancer is not just one disease it comes in many variations.
One of the primary factors in determining the type of breast cancer is the sensitivity of the tumor cells to estrogen. If a breast tumor is hormone-sensitive or estrogen receptor-positive, it means there are specific estrogen receptors on the tumor cells, and when estrogen binds with these receptors, it transfers a message to the cancer cells. Like a lock and key effect, the breast tumor cells are stimulated by estrogen to grow and reproduce. Therefore, one of the main goals of therapy or intervention with hormone-positive cancer is to reduce hormonal stimulation as much as possible.
Lifestyle Changes After Breast Cancer
Lifestyle Changes after Breast Cancer Treatment: Conversations on Survival. A group of breast cancer survivors openly discuss what lifestyle changes were continued or changed after treatment. The importance of living in the moment, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and knowing what is really important in life are all discussed.
To help yourself better cope with the side effects of breast cancer treatment and to reduce your chances of breast cancer recurrence, try incorporating these healthy tips:
1) Take care of yourself emotionally
- Put your needs first sometimes
- Attend a support group or find a breast cancer survivor you can talk with
- Stay informed about new breast cancer research
- Consider psychotherapy and/or antidepressants if warranted if youre taking tamoxifen, check with your oncologist to ensure the prescribed antidepressant does not interfere with your endocrine treatment
- Communicate with your doctor about fears or concerns
- Volunteer or become a breast cancer advocate
2) Take care of yourself physically
- Exercise regularly
- Report any physical changes to either your oncologist or primary care provider
- Seek treatment for lymphedema if you experience signs
3) Eat healthy
Research has shown that a diet high in fat and calories increases circulating estrogen in the blood. Consuming a low fat and low calorie diet after breast cancer can improve your overall health and wellness. Here are some dietary suggestions:
4) Reduce stress
5) Limit alcohol
6) Exercise regularly
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Foods To Avoid If You Have Breast Cancer
If you have breast cancer, its advised that you avoid the following:
- Leftovers that are more than three to four days old.
- Food that has been left out at an unsafe temperature for four or more hours.
Limit caffeine and alcohol, as both are dehydrating, advises Taylor. Talk to your oncologist for exact recommendations. And if youre having diarrhea, consider avoiding completely, as both can worsen symptoms.
Peaches Apples And Pears
Fruits specifically peaches, apples, and pears have been shown to safeguard against breast cancer.
In a study in 75,929 women, those who consumed at least 2 servings of peaches per week had up to a 41% reduced risk of developing ER breast cancer .
Interestingly, a test-tube study revealed that polyphenol antioxidants from peaches inhibited the growth and spread of a breast cancer cell line .
Furthermore, a study analyzing data from 272,098 women linked apple and pear intake to a lower risk of breast cancer ” rel=”nofollow”> Share on Pinterest
Beans are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Specifically, their high fiber content may protect against breast cancer.
A study in 2,571 women found that high bean intake reduced breast cancer risk by up to 20%, compared with low bean intake .
Additionally, in a study in 1,260 Nigerian women, those with the highest intake of beans had up to a 28% reduced risk of breast cancer, compared with those with the lowest intake .
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New Therapies For Triple
According to experts, triple-negative can be a very treatable and potentially curable type of breast cancer, especially with recent research advances. Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer involves both local therapies, such as surgery and radiation, and can also include systemic therapies, like chemotherapy. Thanks to research in recent years, another category of medications is available, known as immunotherapy, where medicines help stimulate the immune system to destroy cancer cells. This category of medication is used with chemotherapy and is used depending on factors, such as the stage of the cancer.
New discoveries, such as immunotherapy, are starting to change the previous beliefs that triple-negative breast cancer is untreatable, experts say.
The introduction of immunotherapy into the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer may be a game changer.
“We are incredibly gratified to see that offering immunotherapy before surgery not only helps to do a better job killing the cancer cells, but also seems to help prevent the cancer from coming back, which may help people live longer,” said Mayer. “So the introduction of immunotherapy into the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer may be a game changer.”
“It’s also important to be aware of one’s body and notice any changes, pointing them out to one’s doctor if they arise,” Mayer said.