Tamoxifen is the most common treatment for estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. It may also be prescribed as an adjuvant following chemotherapy. Women at an increased risk of breast cancer may receive tamoxifen to reduce their chances of acquiring the disease. Appetite changes are a common side effect of tamoxifen treatment. Talk to your doctor about your nutritional needs during and after treatment. You may be referred to a nutritionist. A healthy eating plan can help to improve your energy levels, maintain a healthy weight, avoid infection and tolerate treatment with fewer side effects.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are full of essential micronutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants. These compounds are important for your overall health and may have anti-cancer properties. In particular, researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that broccoli sprouts contain some of the highest levels of indoles, a type of phytochemical that reduces cancer occurrence in animal studies. Aim for five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Fats and Protein
Your diet should include lean protein sources such as poultry, fish and legumes. If you experience fatigue and loss of appetite due to chemotherapy, protein-rich foods may help improve your symptoms. Reduce your consumption of saturated fats such as those found in red meat, organ meats, cheese, butter and fried foods. There is some evidence that omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold water fish, inhibit the growth of breast tumors. Doctors at Johns Hopkins Medical Center recommend eating three servings of fish per week to obtain sufficient omega-3 fatty acids.
Whole Grains
Including whole grains in your diet will boost your dietary fiber intake. A high fiber diet is helpful for maintaining a healthy weight and improving gastrointestinal function. In addition, fiber may alter the hormonal regulation of some breast cancers. Your diet should include 25 g to 35 g of soluble and insoluble fiber daily.
Foods to Avoid
Patients taking tamoxifen may be advised to avoid foods that contain soy products. A class of compounds called isoflavones are found at high concentrations in soy-based foods. In the body, these isoflavones mimic the action of estrogen. This may increase the growth of breast cancer cells and reduce the efficacy of tamoxifen treatment.
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