Written by: Rachel Brauner
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those affected by breast cancer. This month also emphasizes the importance of survivorship, and one critical element of that journey is maintaining proper nutrition.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, excluding skin cancers, and represents approximately 30% of all new cancer cases in women each year (American Cancer Society, 2024). Currently, there are over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., which includes both women still undergoing treatment and those who have completed it (American Cancer Society, 2024).
Advances in early detection and treatment have allowed many breast cancer survivors to live longer, healthier lives. However, survivorship brings its own challenges, including managing side effects from treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. These treatments can lead to fatigue, nausea, changes in taste, and weight fluctuations, all of which can affect a person’s ability to maintain a healthy diet.
For breast cancer survivors, nutrition plays a key role in managing treatment side effects, promoting healing, and supporting long-term health (Rock et al., 2020). Drawing on insights from a recent OneOp presentation, this blog will highlight essential nutritional strategies for breast cancer survivors to help improve quality of life and overall well-being.
Nutrition’s Role During Treatment
The primary goals of nutrition during breast cancer treatment are to promote healing, prevent malnutrition, and minimize the risk of treatment interruptions due to side effects (Cicco et al., 2019). Eating well can also support immune function and improve the overall quality of life for patients. Some specific nutrition concerns during treatment include Cicco et al., 2019):
- Fatigue: As one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment, fatigue can affect a person’s ability to prepare nutritious meals. Strategies to manage fatigue include staying hydrated, consuming nutrient-dense snacks, and engaging in regular physical activity, such as yoga or light resistance exercises.
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: Managing nausea can be challenging, but taking prescribed medications at the first sign of symptoms can help. It’s also important to eat small, frequent meals and avoid foods high in fat and spices. Complementary therapies like ginger tea or acupressure bracelets may provide additional relief.
- Taste changes: Many patients experience a loss of taste or metallic flavors in their food. Practicing good oral hygiene, using herbs and spices, and incorporating tart foods like citrus can make meals more enjoyable.
Addressing Weight Changes
Both unintended weight loss and weight gain can occur during and after breast cancer treatment. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial, as it can influence the risk of recurrence (Susan G. Komen, n.d.). Some key strategies include:
- Unintended weight gain: This can be caused by decreased physical activity, increased appetite, or steroid use. Regular physical activity, such as aerobic exercise and strength training, can help manage weight. Additionally, increasing intake of plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans while limiting added sugars and fats can support weight management.
- Bone health: Hormone therapy, often used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancers, can lead to bone loss due to estrogen deficiency. To manage this, survivors are encouraged to consume 1200 mg of calcium daily and engage in weight-bearing exercises to strengthen bones. Foods like dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified tofu are excellent sources of calcium.
Post-Treatment Nutrition Recommendations
After treatment, survivors are encouraged to follow guidelines from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) (2022). Key recommendations include:
- Emphasize plant-based foods: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides essential phytonutrients and fiber, which may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. The AICR recommends that two-thirds of your plate should consist of plant-based foods, while the remaining third can be lean animal proteins.
- Stay active: Physical activity is crucial not only for maintaining a healthy weight but also for reducing fatigue and improving overall well-being. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which can be spread across multiple days and sessions.
- Limit processed foods and alcohol: Processed meats and alcohol have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence, particularly in postmenopausal women. Limiting alcohol and avoiding processed meats like deli meat, bacon, and sausage can help reduce this risk.
For breast cancer survivors, nutrition is an essential tool in promoting recovery and reducing the risk of recurrence. By focusing on a balanced, plant-forward diet and staying physically active, survivors can improve their quality of life and support long-term health. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to not only celebrate survivorship but also share knowledge and resources to help survivors thrive.
For more information on nutrition strategies and survivorship, visit OneOp’s resources on breast cancer survivorship and nutrition.
References
American Cancer Society. (2024). Key Statistics for Breast Cancer. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html
American Institute for Cancer Research. (2022, October 18). Diet and Physical Activity After Breast Cancer: Finding Your Route to Self-Care. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/diet-and-physical-activity-after-breast-cancer-finding-your-route-to-self-care/
Cicco, P. de, Catani, M. V., Gasperi, V., Sibilano, M., Quaglietta, M., & Savini, I. (2019). Nutrition and breast cancer: a literature review on prevention, treatment and recurrence. Nutrients, 11(7), 1514. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071514
Rock CL, Thomson C, Gansler T, Gapstur SM, McCullough ML, Patel AV, Andrews KS, Bandera EV, Spees CK, Robien K, Hartman S, Sullivan K, Grant BL, Hamilton KK, Kushi LH, Caan BJ, Kibbe D, Black JD, Wiedt TL, … Doyle C. (2020). American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 70(4), 245–271. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21591
Susan G. Komen. (n.d.). Breast Cancer Risk Factors: Body Weight and Weight Gain. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/weight/
*Image Source: iStockphoto, Courtney Hale