Flaxseed vs Tamoxifen

sanbar8771

Pickle, I agree... it is a crap shoot.  But good information.

peggy_j

pickle141 wrote:

flaxseed should only be used in moderation due to the large amount of lignan. 1tbsp/day maximum. Soy foods in moderation ie: 2-3 serving/week. No soy pills or powders.

I've heard these same numbers from my MO's nutritionist (in the last couple months). To clarify on soy, they said a serving is a serving of  tofu (for example), and not worry about small amounts, like soybean oill in some salad dressings. Personally, I'm playing it safe and using less of each but FYI.

pinkcandy001

Could someone clarify.  I had lumpectomy, 3 weeks rads, 3 months tamo and had to come off tamo as I had severe side affects.  As I am perio meno,I cant go on any other hormone therapy can I take flaxseed instead of hormone therapy.  My onco said I had a 4% chance of recurrence, but I am concerned about all the rads, etc does it increases the chance of reoccurrence somewhere else.

feedback grateful.

Pinkie 

soulswithin

Pinkcandy, I don't believe there have been enough long term studies to prove that flaxseed produces enough lignan to actually replace something as potent along with measured trials of Tamoxifen. And Doc Oz on TV said you have to chew them up or they go straight through the body. So go figure. Funny, I used to take flaxseed and numerous natural herbal stuff BEFORE I had cancer. Now I have become a moderate on all of this.

So we can't compare natural herbs to cancer approved drugs, at all. Unfortunately billions are spent on cancer studies, but there is so much behind the scenes with new cures every year, and then they change their minds. Given also the lack of patient information that is accurate without an agenda involved.

The problem with natural treatment is the doses may not be as accurate as our approved medications. it truly is a crapshoot. Some may produce more estrogen. Your odds look pretty good if your doctor gave you a 4% chance of recurrance.

You can get alot of info by googling it. There are other things that increase our estrogen, such as stress, fatigue, and fatty meat products. A total overall plan is a much better idea that eating a ton of herbs and suppliments, some can hurt the body. You just have to do alot of research and stay away from testamonials.

The American Cancer Society has some great info on flaxseed. Sorry, for some reason it won't copy and paste here!

froggy2234

Flaxseeds & Breast Cancer Survival: Clinical Evidence

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of flaxseeds in breast cancer patients finds flax appears to have the potential to reduce tumor growth in just a matter of weeks.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/flaxseeds-breast-c...