Lowering Her Cancer Recurrence Risk
- TV journalist Amy Robach, an 8-year breast cancer survivor, is choosing to keep up some of her healthy habits after successfully completing dry January.
- Without alcohol, the avid runner and her partner T.J. Holmes were able to kick up their running routine, running every single day in January for at least two miles, which they aim to continue into February — with some more moderate indulging.
- SurvivorNet experts, along with the American Cancer Society, say that people who choose to indulge in some moderate drinking of alcohol should limit to two drinks for men and one drink for women, as women’s bodies break down alcohol more slowly.
- As many know, alcohol consumption has been linked to many cancers, and can also be a risk when it comes to breast cancer recurrence, which Robach is now taking more seriously, so lowering your intake, survivor or not, is definitely not a bad idea. Getting healthier is a journey, and it’s important not to beat yourself up as long you are continuing to make improvements as you go.
As many know, alcohol consumption has been linked to cancer, and can also be a risk when it comes to breast cancer recurrence, so lowering your intake, survivor or not, is definitely not a bad idea. Getting healthier is a journey, and it’s important not to beat yourself up as long you are continuing to make improvements as you go, like Robach appears to be doing.
Read More“I may have a glass of wine tonight however ?,” Robach added with the hashtags, “#welcomefebruary #halfmarathontraining #running #feelinggood.”
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“Thank you for inspiring all the breast cancer warriors,” one of Robach’s supportive fans commented. “We appreciate you.”
Added another, “Nothing wrong with a glass of wine! Cheers! ?.”
A third follower also shared appreciation, “Great post! Inspirational ♥️. Keep going!”
Alcohol and Cancer Recurrence
After an admittedly tough year, gaining negative media attention for her relationship with Holmes — as they began dating before announcing their separation from their former spouses — then getting fired from their ABC News jobs, the stress was too much to bear. Now bouncing back, the couple is owning their love for one another, and have been transparent with fans on their podcast.
When Robach suddenly became unemployed, she admitted she was drinking more than she ever had in the past and her relationship with alcohol was heavily weighing on her.
“Not just about the amount of alcohol that I consumed but also what I know about alcohol and cancer – and specifically breast cancer,” she shared after launching her iHeart Radio podcast early last month.
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Robach was diagnosed in 2016 with stage 2 breast cancer, which spread to her sentinel lymph nodes. After her tumor was detected, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy (also called a double mastectomy), where both breasts were removed. Following the procedure, Robach underwent six months of chemotherapy and after treatment, has been in remission ever since.
“I will say this because I’m someone who lives with recurrences. All breast cancer survivors do,” Robach continued. “There’s no scientific proof as of yet, but most doctors believe because it raises your estrogen levels, especially if you have a hormone-positive cancer like I did, it would make sense that it would raise your chance for recurrence.”
What the Experts Say
It’s important to note that alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing cancer, but it doesn’t necessarily cause the cancers.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Heather Yeo stressed the importance of moderation, especially for women.
“For women, anything over a half a glass or a glass a day is probably not helping your overall health. For men, they can probably go one to two glasses before they start seeing health effects,” Dr. Yeo shared.
The American Cancer Society echoes those limits, saying that while it’s best to not drink any alcohol, one glass for women and two for men should be the max. Women’s bodies tend to break down alcohol more slowly, which is why the limits are different.
Does Alcohol Impact Cancer Risk?
The American Society of Clinical Oncology published a statement in 2017 citing evidence that links alcohol to multiple cancers and called for reduced alcohol consumption as a way to cut people’s cancer risk.
Alcohol appeared to become a bigger problem for America when the pandemic hit. Women said they had been drinking more during the pandemic, and 70 percent weren’t aware of the resulting increased cancer risk, according to a SurvivorNet survey in February 2021.
If you happen to struggle with alcohol in times of stress, Victoria Martin’s story may inspire you. Martin is a breast cancer survivor and wellness coach who used her own experience to help others with alcohol addiction.
In an earlier interview with SurvivorNet, Martin shared some helpful tips and actionable steps people can use to help break unhealthy habits and cope with stress without alcohol.
- Mindset: Instead of looking at it like this is something you have to give up, try making a tiny shift in your language and thinking that still feels true. Have an open mind and think about what you will gain and learn, rather than approaching from deprivation.
- Be Curious: What would it feel like to experience some new thoughts and feelings to replace the worn-out ones? It is empowering to realize that you can change your patterns and see what is on the other side.
- Understand This is Not the Garden of Eden: Thinking of anything as a “forbidden fruit” creates even greater cravings, feelings of resentment, and deprivation. You are simply getting curious and creating changes that you get to make. Also, emotional attachments to our habits are very real, so it is perfectly healthy to acknowledge and honor these feelings.
- Create a Toolbox: Habits that no longer serve us, did serve a purpose at some point, and that is part of why we use them past their expiration date. You may be surprised at how uncomfortable some moments can be, but you can learn tools and tactics that will make it easier than staying stuck.
- Find Your People: You are not alone. Luckily, there is strength in numbers and a community where you can connect with people who understand what it is like. Sharing your experience won’t just help you feel less alone, but you will be helping others.
- Drop the “Shoulds”: One of the quickest ways to be defeated is by “shoulding ourselves.” Expecting to be perfect and tearing ourselves down will only lead to our maladaptive habits gaining more of a foothold. Practice speaking to yourself the way you would speak to a friend and see how kindness gets you moving in the right direction.
Role of Lifestyle in Cancer Risk
When it comes to trying to prevent a cancer diagnosis or recurrence, there are a few factors to consider. Making sure we are healthy is important for our everyday lives, and that means prioritizing a healthy diet and consistently being active.
Although there’s been no scientific evidence to prove a certain diet or amount of exercise causes or prevents cancer, there is a definite link. For example, among the women who exercised regularly, their risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer dropped by 12%.
As for diet, it’s recommended to practice moderation as much as possible. Cancer risk can be linked to consuming high amounts of sugar, carbs, and overcooked processed meats. That’s why it’s important to balance your cravings with nutritious foods such as dark green, red and orange vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. By making sure you eat a balanced diet, this can decrease inflammation which is often associated with cancer risk.
“Things that we know are not good for us: high carbs, high meat, low fiber, high sugar, smoking, [and] drinking excessively, they all are bad for our health and increase our risk of cancer. Exercise decreases the risk of cancer,” Dr. Yeo said.
The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk
In addition to affecting your cancer risk, lifestyle can play an important role in going through active cancer treatment as well. While it’s important to not lose weight while going through certain treatments such as chemotherapy, a healthy diet can strengthen your immune system which can help you push through treatment. Additionally, doing light exercises such as yoga can also lend itself as a stress reliever, which is helpful for one’s emotional health.
RELATED: Major Reduction in Cancer Risk by Following Old Standbys Diet and Exercise
“Diet, exercise, and stress control are extremely important when going through both cancer therapy, as well as once you’re done treating your cancer and trying to get back to the rest of your life,” Dr. Sairah Ahmed, a medical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, previously told SurvivorNet.
“You want to have a moderate diet where you’re including lots of fruits and vegetables, but you’re still eating fat and protein. You want to maintain physical exercise. The more physically fit you are going through your cancer treatment, the less side effects you’ll have and the faster you’ll get back to your normal quality of life.”
Your Simple Stay-Healthy Guide
Bottom line, working out and being nutritious doesn’t need to be difficult. In order to stay healthy, taking a little time out of your day can make a huge difference. Here are a few tips to be proactive:
- Take a little time to work out. This could be a walk around the block or light yoga class.
- Incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet.
- Cut down on alcohol intake. Moderation is key.
- Try substituting foods with sugar and carbs with healthier alternatives.
- Get up and move a few times a day.
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