
<b>Diet and Breast Cancer: Evidence That Extremes in Diet Are Associated With Poor Survival </b>by Goodwin, et.al.
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<b>"Diet has been postulated to influence breast cancer prognosis; however, existing evidence is weak and inconsistent. Previous studies have sought evidence of a linear relationship between diet and breast cancer outcomes. Because of a U-shaped association of body mass index (BMI) with survival in breast cancer, we hypothesized that a nonlinear association also existed for dietary variables." </b>

"Four hundred seventy-seven women with surgically resected ... breast cancer completed the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire ...  after diagnosis, reporting intake over the preceding 12 months. Data on tumor-related factors, treatment, and outcomes were obtained prospectively from medical records."

"Significant nonlinear survival associations were found for protein, oleic acid, cholesterol, polyunsaturated-saturated fat ratio, and for percentage of calories from fat and percentage of calories from carbohydrates" 

"Conclusion: The association of key dietary variables with breast cancer survival may be U-shaped rather than linear. <b>Our data suggest that midrange intake of most major energy sources is associated with the most favorable outcomes, and extremes are associated with less favorable outcomes." </b>


<b>From the American Cancer Society Website:</b>
Good nutrition is especially important for people with cancer. The illness itself, as well as its treatments, may affect your appetite. Cancer and cancer treatments may also alter your body's ability to tolerate certain foods and to use nutrients.  The nutrient needs of a cancer patient vary from person to person. Your doctor, nurses, and dietitians can help you identify your nutrition goals and plan strategies to help you meet them. Eating well while undergoing cancer therapy can help you to: 

Feel better 

Keep up your strength and energy 

Keep up your weight and your body's store of nutrients 

Tolerate treatment-related side effects 

Decrease your risk of infection 

Heal and recover quickly 

Eating well means eating a variety of foods that provide the nutrients you need to maintain your health while fighting cancer. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals.
From &&url

<b>NOTE: Cancer patients who are better nourished survive longer.  Better nourished does not mean overweight.  There is a negative influence upon survival for overweight postmenopausal women with ESTROGEN RECEPTOR POSITIVE TUMORS, because of the estrogen made in fat tissue.  
See the &&url.

Nutrients </b>
<b>Protein</b>
is needed for growth, to repair body tissue, and to maintain a healthy immune system. Without enough protein, the body takes longer to recover from illness, takes longer to heal from surgery, and is less resistant to infection.  People with cancer often need more protein than usual after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, in order to heal tissues and to help prevent infection. Good sources of protein include lean meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, nuts, dried beans, peas and lentils, and soy foods. 

<b>Carbohydrates</b> 
supply the body with calories it needs to carry out tasks. The amount of calories each person needs depends on his or her age, size, and level of physical activity. Sources of carbohydrates include fruits, vegetables, breads, pasta, grains and cereal products, dried beans, peas, and lentils. 

<b>Fats</b> 
also supply the body with calories, but some of them, called omega-3 oils, are marked anti-inflammatory agents.  Omega-3 fish oils are exceedingly useful not only in cancer prevention/prophylaxis, but also in treating the &&url, in which cancer patients lose weight despite an adequate or even more than adequate diet.  Fats include butter, margarine, oils, nuts, seeds, and the fat in meats, fish, and poultry. 

<b>Vitamins and minerals</b>
help ensure proper growth and development. In addition, they allow the body to use the energy (calories) supplied in foods. A person who eats a balanced diet with enough calories and protein usually gets plenty of vitamins and minerals. However, eating a balanced diet can be challenging when you are receiving cancer treatment, particularly if treatment side effects persist for long periods of time. When that is the case, your doctor or dietitian may recommend a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. 

<b>Water</b>
is a necessity for survival.  If you do not take in enough fluids or if you are vomiting or have diarrhea, you may become dehydrated.  Ask your doctor or nurse how much fluid you need each day to prevent dehydration.  If you are undergoing toxic treatments which are resulting in tissue death, of normal tissues, or of tumor tissue, there are extra requirements of water needed to help your body rid itself of these wastes.  Dehydration also is an additional risk factor for clot formation, and 10% of cancer deaths are due to clotting.
NOTE: Coffee, tea and cola drinks contain caffeine, which is a diuretic, causing you to lose more fluid than you took in.   Take an extra glass of water for each cup of coffee, tea or coke.  Milk, though fluid, does not count as water because of its high protein and salt load.  Milk counts as a food.  

Eat five or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day. 
Choose whole grains in preference to processed (refined) grains and sugars. 
Limit consumption of red meats, especially those high in fat or  processed. 
Choose foods that help you maintain a healthful weight, with an emphasis on plant sources.
Eat complex carbohydrates instead of sugar.
Decrease or avoid highly processed fatty foods.
Drink enough fluids.

&&url has some common sense, research-based diet recommendations on its site.


Some other references:
<b>Healing Foods: How to Nurture Yourself and Fight Illness</b> by Rosy Daniel
<b>The Healing Foods Cookbook</b> by Jane Sen

doctordee
December 2003