In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer™, we're talking about a common and little-talked-about side effect of breast cancer treatment and day-to-day living: digestive changes. If you've experienced bloating, reflux, fatigue, or that uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating, this episode is for you.

You'll learn why hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is often misdiagnosed as high stomach acid, how breast cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy contribute to poor digestion, and why treating symptoms with acid-blocking medications might be doing more harm than good.

Most importantly, we’ll cover simple, nurturing steps — like mindful eating habits and nutrient support — to help you feel better, absorb more nutrients, and reconnect with your body’s healing capacity.

 

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• How chemotherapy and hormonal therapy disrupt stomach acid production
• The surprising truth about low vs. high stomach acid symptoms
• Why PPIs and antacids may worsen digestion in breast cancer survivors
• Simple ways to support digestion naturally after treatment
• At-home options to test for low stomach acid
• The role of eating hygiene in restoring healthy digestion
• Common symptoms and red flags that signal hypochlorhydria

 

📝 Mentioned in This Episode:

• Work with Laura
• A free download: How to Eat Without Fear and Guilt After Breast Cancer
• What to look for if you suspect low stomach acid
• The “baking soda test” you can try at home
• How poor stomach acid disrupts enzyme activity, nutrient absorption, and overall metabolic health

 

📌 Resources and Links:

• Cancer Research UK – Digestive Problems:
  

• National Cancer Institute – Nausea and GI Side Effects of Treatment:
  

• Frontiers in Endocrinology (2020) – Estrogen’s Role in Gut Health:
  

• Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (2009) – Hypochlorhydria and Nutrient Absorption:
  
  
• JAMA Internal Medicine (2016) – Risks of Long-Term PPI Use:
  
  
• Nutrients (2018) – Mindful Eating and Digestive Symptoms:
  
  
• Internal transcript source: T3M4-MChapman2024, Clinical Nutritionist Training Material [Unpublished]

 

❤️ Subscribe & Share:

If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe and leave a review. Share it with another breast cancer survivor who might be struggling with digestion — your voice could help someone finally find answers.

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