Pinned Thread About How to Lower Recurrence after Chemo

Mackmann - there have been threads, I believe, on Metformin, here at BCO.  I got interested in it and here is a sampling of Metformin articles (caveat: haven't done a web search in a few months):

http://www.empr.com/metformin-may-have-dual-effect-in-breast-cancer/article/240344/#

http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/breast-cancer/news/print/endocrine-today/{98e09893-1623-4150-b02a-ad568a2581f0}/metformin-may-affect-breast-cancer-proliferation

http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/30/21/2593.abstract

http://foodforbreastcancer.com/news/metformin-reduces-cancer-proliferation,-but-only-in-those-with-insulin-resistance

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22933030 

http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/breast-cancer/news/print/endocrine-today/{98e09893-1623-4150-b02a-ad568a2581f0}/metformin-may-affect-breast-cancer-proliferation

(Above: re Homa Index, Luminal B subtype and proliferation)

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01101438   (Clinical Trial)

Many are studying this.  Personally, I found one anecdotal observation that with Luminal B (this is ER+ with a >13.5% Ki67, a proliferation factor that is sometimes measured independently, but also part of the Oncotype score), if one had a HOMA index < 2.8 (this index is a number derived from fasting glucose and fasting insulin, the latter being a test one would have to ask for, not on a normal CMP blood test), proliferation actually increased.  **These are observations, not studies, so not set up in a statistical way, so could be a meaningless observation.

In a subgroup analysis, the researchers measured the effect of metformin on Ki-67 according to insulin resistance status (P for interaction =.045). They found a nonsignificant 10.5% decrease of proliferation in women with elevated homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (>2.8), and a nonsignificant 11.1% increase in proliferation in women with no insulin resistance (HOMA ≤2.8).

I got as far as gettin an Rx with my PCP, after my MO said my PCP would have to approve.  After that, one of these doctors referred me to an Endocronologist, who I saw last month, to determine my HOMA index (my PCP was not comfortable with that and my own layman calc had me well below 2.8 with my bloodwork in hand).  Unfortuneately, I assumed the Endo had my bloodwork (and this was 85 miles away from home) and my PCP's office sent the wrong items.  So back to the Endo in August.  My gut says I should not be taking Metformin in my particular case.

The Endocrinologist was totally unaware of this relationship between Metformin and Breast Cancer, but was interested.  She did refer to it as a "mircacle drug" though, in it's many applications.

Hello Nalagirl,

I think you will find great support and all the answers you are looking for in the very large thread Calling all TNs. You will get a warm welcome there and some peace of mind. You can get through all this.

Sending you very best wishes.

Sylvia xx