Alternative measures to Tamoxifen?

I am not taking Tamoxifen and I am currently underoing radiation treatment. I will use aspirin therapy (baby aspirin every other day), which is okay for me, since I am 40 years old now and it has a couple of other benefits as well for those of us who are getting into the midlife years.

I was always a healthy eater, but am going almost entirely vegetarian, and eating only organic foods when possible. It's been an adjustment, but I joined a co-op and it makes the organic foods easier and cheaper to obtain. 

I am meeting with an endocrinologist this Friday to ask about hormone levels and what can be done with progesterone cream. Seems that sometimes balances out the estrogen since estrogen "feeds" cell growth and progesterone stops that process. I will ask the endo about it all.

I have also cut out all parabens and any estrogenic herbs from my beauty care regime. Herbs that are estrogenic are lavendar, rosemary, etc.  Methylparaben, ethylparabens are a no-no.  I keep discovering new products weekly, so it's not as hard as I had anticipated to find those products.

Other than that, I am just keeping up my normal, healthy, active lifestyle. Lots of exercise, getting outside without sunblock (which has all sorts of parabens in it--opting for zinc oxide based ones nowadays instead) and will begin Vitamin D supplementation soon, as it turns out my Vit D levels were low.

Hope that helps.

Just to present the other approach, I saw two medical oncologists and both recommended I take tamoxifen to reduce my risk of recurrence or second cancer.  I was very nervous about taking it, but started in October 2009 and so far I haven't had significant problems with side effects.  I did have a major anxiety problem for a couple of days about 4 days after I started (which I attribute to the tamoxifen since there was no particular reason for me to be so anxious), and I think I get stressed a little more easily since being on it, but manageable.  I think that a lot of women take tamoxifen without significant side effects, it is just that the ones who have trouble are more likely to post.  I also saw a naturopath (who is actually one of my best friends) and am taking some supplements and am making dietary changes (though not as significant as the ones it sounds like some of you are making).  For me, taking tamoxifen means that I won't beat myself up for not doing everything that was recommended if I have breast cancer again in the future.  (That is just my personality, I'm not saying it is the right thing for everyone to do.)

Tumeric is its own plant - and is a very good cancer fighter - I add it to just about everything I cook.  Curry and cumin are also good but I find the cumin to be bitter.

Thought i would share some valuable information that i have obtained from my nutritionist who has been practicing for over 25 years and is incredibly knowledgeable about breast cancer.  Here is what he has told me about some of the above information:

 I3C:  Can be dangerous... Some people when they digest will breakdown the I3C into a carcinogenic substance.. Others will metabolize the I3C into DIM...  DIM on the other hand is safe and metabolizes estrogen. Just take DIM

 Baby aspirin:  Certainly is not dangerous and has shown to have properties that will help with heart attacks, but if you are using for inflammation there are more potent and effective products such as Tumeric, Green tea extract, curcumin, all having broader inflammatory responses...

Tumeric Tea:  Tumeric is hard to absorb unless it is cooked in a fatty substance, so i am not sure how much tumeric you are absorbing in a tea. 

Estrogenic Herbs like Rosemary and lavender:  You would have to ingest such high amounts that i wouldn't worry about these herbs..

Parabens:  Definitely should be thinking about changing all your beauty products with parabens That includes suntan lotions, shampoo, all cosmetics, think about how much lipstick you are consuming!.  Dr. Hauschka makes a great line (from Germany)  

Natural deodorant with no aluminum... Definitely... I use Jason tea tree

 Toothpaste: Unfortunately Crest and Colgate are poison.... Use natural brands 

Resveratrol:  Most doesn't stay in your body... when you ingest it binds to your liver and most of it is eliminated.  There is a metabolite called Pterostilbene that does stay in the bloodstream (like red wine).. The only product that i know that has isolated this metabolite so it won't be eliminated is Resveratin made by a company. called Xymogen.... XYmogen makes some great products..

24 Hour Iodine Test:  If you have fibrocystic breast tissue it would be helpful to know if your have a high Iodine level. As iodine decrease it lowers proliferative effect. It is easy to fix...

 Estrogen Testing:  Helpful to see if you are metabolizing your estrogen properly so your Dr. can give you the proper supplements, also important to see if Tamoxifen will even metabolize in your system...

Vitamin  Most women are low here... Make sure you are tested and are taking a Vitamin D that is good quality and is in an Oil base... You want to be around 75 - 85 approx..., test again after 3 mos on supplements or drops (i take 7 drops a day).. It takes a toxicity level of 400 to be harmful... 

Vino Cap:  Promotes soft tissue healing. speeds up healing.... (lumpectomy), i am taking 2 pills/2x day.

 Breast Massage:  Important to massage your breast daily to drain the lymph system into your lymph nodes under your armpits. Circular motions moving down into your armpit... 

Eating healthy, no sugar or alcohol, organic products when available, no processed foods, try reading the paleo diet... That is how we are meant to eat... 

 Would love to hear from anyone that has different information about any of the statements above...

 Happy healing and thank you all for any more tips on nutrition and supplements. 

 Oh, i was also reading some interesting info about Agave... I have been using it for years in lieu of sugar because it is low glycemic, but i just found out  it has as much fructose as regular sugar,(processed the same way as regular sugar)  ouch.... Beware.....Always thought it was to sweet to be true... Anyone hear this too? 

 The most important thing to remember is that we are all individuals with very different bodies and systems.. We all metabolize differently and the medical establishment unfortunately isn't focusing on all of us as individuals... You must be your own advocate and learn about your own body and what works for you. 

Take care..