Do's and Don'ts for Battling Against Breast Cancer

The do’s for the battle against Breast Cancer are as follows:

1. DO give the patient a lot of water and to stay hydrated- Water is the most essential nutrient for them. Try adding lemon or lime slices for flavor.
2. DO give the patient to eat “mixed” food for breakfast such as those containing a little carbohydrate, a little protein and a little fat and try to take balanced diet
3. DO give the patient to eat less fat- Of the fat you do eat, consume a higher proportion from plant oils like olive oil and canola oil and less of saturated animal fat
4. DO give the patient increased amount of fiber in your diet- It helps in daily “detoxification” of the colon to maintain good health. High-quality fibers such as psyllium seed, psyllium husk, oat bran, mucilages, gums and pectin should be found on the label of the product you choose. Remember to drink more water while increasing fiber in your diet
5. DO give the patient to eat nutrient dense foods everyday- Regular consumption of yogurt, deep orange vegetables (carrots, squash, sweet potatoes), vegetables in the cabbage family, tomatoes, citrus fruit and dark green leafy vegetables helps in increasing the body immunity.
6. Call often just to check in with patient- The patients understand that it is a serious problem but also will trust you if any problem arise.
7. Do spread love and enjoyment in the patient’s life -Schedule a date to drop by with a funny movie or some amusements to keep the spirit high

The dont’s for the battle against Breast Cancer are as follows:

1. DON’T rely on pills for nutrition.  Supplements should be taken with good food, not instead of good food.
2. DON’T let the patient get dehydrated. If urine is deep in color or has a strong odor, patient needs to drink more water.
3. DON’T give sugary foods to patients in the morning. A burst of refined sugar on an empty stomach will trigger a flood of insulin which will suppress the immune system, and feed any abnormal cells which are common in everyone’s body.
4. DON’T eat daily amounts of corn oil and soybean oil, especially if hydrogenated. These fats are immune suppressive and according to research hydrogenated fats increase free radicals which are destructive to cells.
5. DON’T expect to get more fiber by eating iceberg or head lettuce, it has miniscule amounts of fiber. The same with white grapes, corn, cucumbers and celery. Some quick, simple high-fiber foods are dried figs, bananas, raisins, prunes, fresh oranges and dried dates – a good substitute for a candy bar.
6. DON’T show casual sympathy for the patient- Admit what you know and what you don’t, and try to communicate with understanding, as the patient already knows the seriousness of the disease. 
7. DON’T make statements that invalidate her fear. Her fear is real and justified
8. DON’T make the mistake of ignoring her.  Loneliness is a major culprit in depression.  It’s hard to accept that the world might go on without being a part of it.  When everyone stays away, those feelings escalate and fear takes hold. Find ways to be proactive in your support.