Supplements for prevention?

MMP

Hello,

I have not been diagnosed, but considered high risk as my mother and sister both had er/pr+ BC.

I was reading grape juice, calcium, vit D, and flaxseed to be beneficial in the prevention of BC.  I thought I read on this site a while back that flaxseed is not recommended.  Any light anyone can shed on this would be appreciated.  I bought all these supplements today, but don't want to take the flaxseed if it will do more harm than good.

Also, are there any supplements I have not included in my list?Thanks!

Cynthia1962

I think that Vit D is the big one, but you might consider DIM as well.  I believe that it acts similarly to Tamoxifen on breast tissue.  There's a lot of info on the internet if you google it.  Also, green tea may be protective. 

Good luck!

Cynthia 

MMP

Thanks, Cynthia.

Yes, I have been googling!  I added green tea to my diet a few months ago, as well as Brocco sprouts.

I just read that the BC preventative in Flaxseed is mostly in the seed, not the oil----so I am off to exchange my oil for the seed tomorrow.

Thank you for the response, I hope you are well.

JoanofArdmore

MMP, About flaxseed, it might be dicey, the oil OR the seed.Because flaxseed is good for estrogen NEGATIVE bc, but NOT for es +.And since you've not been dx, you dont know which , if ever, and I pray not) you are dx.

I would leave the flax and go on to great, general bc antioxidents like Miatake and Shiitake mushrooms.In caps, or in tincture.Also white button mushrooms-just flinging them into your salad is great against bc.

Grape Seed extract is VERY good against bc.

And definately DIM.

Cynthia has given you some great suggestions.I have been taking these things since chemo almost 5 years ago.It is my belief that they are helping me remain in remission!

Best of luck to youi.May you stay "over there", and be well.

hugs, Joan

PS.Again, wine is good for people, a glass w/dinner.But not for es+_ women.Alcohol is slightly estrognic.So if you only have an occasional glass of wine instead of a nightly one, it would be good for you and not harmful even if you are dx w/es-.

OneBadBoob

Lisa posted this great information regarding flax seed on another thread:

18 Dec 2007 11:48 AM Here is your human trial study on flax http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/11/10/3828  This statement is taken from the study.  Conclusion: Dietary flaxseed has the potential to reduce tumorgrowth in patients with breast cancer.     If anyone would like study references on any natural or alternative substance, don't hesitate to mail me.  I have read hundreds.  Lisa

MMP

Thank you so much for the input.  Yes, I think I will skip the flaxseed, as I am premenapausal, and both my sister's and mother's BC were er+.

Is DIM the same as Brocco sprouts?  Or something I buy in a bottle?

 "PS.Again, wine is good for people, a glass w/dinner.But not for es+_ women.Alcohol is slightly estrognic."

I am not an alcohol drinker at all, so today I purchased red wine extract.  Is the red wine extract estrognic, as well?  Or is it other ingredients in the red wine that are negative, and the extract has all the good--none of the bad.

Thank you once again for all your help.  My prayers are with you all.

Cynthia1962

Here are some links on DIM:  http://www.dimfaq.com/index.htm and http://www.activamune.com/science.htm.  I take it in capsule form from the same company mentioned in the first link.  When I first started taking it over a year ago, I think there were only two companies selling it, but now I see there are more. 

Good luck, MMP.  I hope you never end up joining the bc bandwagon.   

Cynthia 

NativeMainer

MMP,

if you haven't already, talk with your doctor about BRCA gene testing.  This will give you a better idea of your level of risk.  Also, tamoxifen has been used in high risk women to prevent a first breast cancer.  Of course, tamoxifen has it's drawbacks, and you would need to have a long talk with your doc about it before deciding one way or the other.  It's good to get all the info you can, and I hope you never have to join the club. 

MMP

Thank you for that link.  I will check it out.

Regarding my risk and genetic testing:  Yep, my high risk counselor suggested genetic testing to me. She also told me she wants me to do 5 years of tamoxifen before I turn 50.  I am 40 now. Based on a list of questions, she calculated my lifetime risk to be 33%.  If I have the gene, somewhere in the 80% range.

A lot to think about.  Right now I am getting yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. I want to stack the cards in my favor, though.

Thank you again.  While I also pray I never have a dx, I also pray for those of you who have.

blackjack

One bad boob..Could you give me some info on flaxseed. I am ER+ and have been eating ground flaxseed 1 tbp.every other day on my cereal. Is this good for us ER+ bc girls. I am not taking hormonal therapy yet. I would appreciate any comment on this.

Thank you

Blackjack

lisametoo

Recent study on flax:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=15897583&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google

OneBadBoob

http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/11/10/3828

Repeating the other link Lisa had provided

My onc has an "integrative" practice, and he has a nutritionist on staff, and she had recommended one to two tablespoons of freshly ground flax seed a day.  I do one with my oatmeal in the morning, and another with fat-free cottage cheese and fresh fruit in the afternoon.

I too am ER positive, 100%.