Wow...So exactly what does this mean?

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Pure
Pure Member Posts: 1,796

http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20130107 I read this and I am not clear on what it means.

Zometa is benificial for post menopausal women in the chemo setting?

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited January 2013

    It doesnt really say much about Zometa - it seems to be saying that VITAMIN D levels were why people did better whether or not they got Zometa?  Or did I miss something?

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2013

    After reading the article, I think it makes sense to me to increase the vitamin D.  It certainly won't harm anything. 

  • itsjustme10
    itsjustme10 Member Posts: 796
    edited January 2013

    What they're saying is that for post-menopausal women, and giving them Zometa during chemo, those whose Vitamin D levels were OK prior to diagnosis would benefit more than those who had low Vitamin D levels prior to diagnosis.

    Getting Zometa won't benefit pre-menopausal women, whose recurrance rates did not change during the study.

    Vitamin D levels being low were linked to recurrance in the bones, pre- and post-, with or without Zometa.

    So, basically Vitamin D is good for everyone.  Zometa may help prevent bone mets in post-menopausal women who already have adequate vitamin D levels.

    I think.

     :)

  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited January 2013

    When I started my zometa infusions, my onc told me to be sure to keep up with my calcium and vitamin D to make sure the zometa worked.  I guess she was right.

  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited January 2013

    OK, but then I read a study like this one....

    http://foodforbreastcancer.com/news/vitamin-d-supplementation-might-interfere-with-aromatase-inhibitor-treatment

    ...and don't know what the heck to do....

    Thoughts??

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2013

    Kerry, don't know what to tell you. This is why I wish my docs were more sure about things. How is a poor layperson supposed to navigate this stuff?

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2013

    KerryMac, that study is saying our circulating Vitamin D levels interfere with our AI's??  What the heck are we supposed to do with THAT information?

    Does anyone really know what is going on in the world of breast cancer treatments?  I am beginning to wonder.

  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited January 2013

    Well. . . poop, poop, poop.  It never ends.

  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited January 2013

    Kerry - Thanks for posting that article. It's one I haven't seen before. My MO doesn't believe in measuring estradiol levels but I ask my internist to check it along with my Vit D levels at my phyisical each year. My Vit D levels are between 60 & 7(with supplements of D3 5000 IU/dAY) and my estradiol level has been < 11 which is the lowest that the lab it goes to measures it. After seeing that article, I'm glad that my levels are being monitored!

  • hopefour
    hopefour Member Posts: 459
    edited January 2013

    KerryMac,

    Thanks for that info on Vit D....Yikes, always worry my Vit D might be too low and now I worry it may be to high...so confusing, but needed to be aware of this info...thank you!! 

  • SeattleMama
    SeattleMama Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2013

    I don't know if you all saw Dr Soram Khalsa on Dr. Oz.  He said he could cut bc rates in half from Vit D alone.  He takes 10,000/daily - - as I do now -- and that most americans need atleast 5,000 supplement.

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,577
    edited January 2013

    So what are we supposed to do, and what do they consider high levels of circulating Vitamin D, I can't see that they give the D levels in that article!!!!!  I'm taking 5000, my levels were very low at diagnosis, and with 5000 daily they are only up to a little above mid range.  We need more info......  maybe I should have my estradiol levels checked again, it's been two years.

    Modified Radical MX w/axillary dissection; 6xTCH, Hercpetin for a year, Rads, trying 3rd AI Aromasin. No Reconstruction. Lymphedema.
    Dx 3/19/2010, IDC, 4cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 5/18 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+Surgery 04/02/2010 Mastectomy (Left); Lymph Node Removal: Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Left)Chemotherapy 05/15/2010 carboplatin, TaxotereTargeted Therapy 05/15/2010 HerceptinHormonal Therapy 09/15/2010 AromasinRadiation Therapy 09/25/2010 External

  • LindaKR
    LindaKR Member Posts: 1,577
    edited January 2013
  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited January 2013

    Hi, all.  I am going to start using the app "D Minder" to supplement my supplements (!) with daily doses of sunshine.  I too am taking 5000 i.u. daily, and so far only got to a level of 47.  I'd like to be between 60 and 70.  The D Minder is supposed to tell me when to go outside, based on where I live, for what period of time to manufacture Vitamin D.  I have about a week to wait before the angle of the sun is sufficient in this area to go outside according to the app.  It might be something to look into.  Dr. Mercola (and I know he is extreme in some ways) questions whether a supplement could produce the same effect as the natural sunshine process.  I figured doing both would be extra insurance.  I don't think that the length of exposure required is going to be enough to burn or lead to skin cancer.  I've heard (not verified) that most skin cancer starts or is caused by sun exposure in one's youth anyway, in which case I'm done in.  I'd rather have my cancer on my skin anyway after this ILC experience where it hung out undetected for so long.  Just my opinion. 

  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited January 2013

    There's even an app for vitamin D?  Wowzers!  What a world we live in now!

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